TPM: Chris Christie: No. 1 U.S. Attorney In Wasting Gov't Travel Money

[dennis4868]

The Justice Department Inspector General released a report yesterday showing that a select number of U.S. Attorneys sought reimbursement above government lodging rates. At the top of the worst offenders list: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who was U.S. Attorney from 2002 to 2008.

The report doesn't identify Christie or any of the U.S. Attorneys by name. But thanks to stories that came out during his campaign against former Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in 2009, we know that the U.S. Attorney who went over the government-set reimbursement rate the most between 2007 and 2009 was none other than current New Jersey governor.

Specifics of Christie's travel detailed in stories during the gubernatorial race last year as a result of a Freedom of Information Act request from his opponent match with the profile of a federal prosecutor dubbed "U.S. Attorney C" in the Inspector General report.

"In terms of the percentage of travel, U.S. Attorney C was the U.S. Attorney who most often exceeded the government rate without adequate justification," the report found. "The U.S. Attorney provided insufficient, inaccurate, or no justification for 14 of 23 trips (61 percent) that exceeded the government rate."

The fiscally conservative Republican governor was one of a "relatively small number of U.S. Attorneys" who did not comply with federal travel regulations or provide appropriate justification for his lodging costs which exceeded the government rate. He was just one of five U.S. Attorneys identified "who exhibited a noteworthy pattern of exceeding the government rate and whose travel documentation provided insufficient, inaccurate, or no justification for the higher lodging rates."


See more here...http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/chris_christie_no_1_us_attorney_in_wasting_govt_travel_money.php?ref=fpblg

I GUESS TAKING MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR HIM PERSONALLY IS OKAY BUT IF IT IS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE (TO GET JOBS) IT'S NOT OKAY.....HE IS A TYPICAL REPUBLICAN HYPROCRITE. SO MUCH FOR THE REPUBLICANS GREAT WHITE HOPE!

[Ninga]

1. He is very very very dangerous. He talks a good game and is so over confident that

he comes off as knowledgeable. He was able to parse many words in his explanation of why (at first) he didn't want the Federal dollars for the NJ tunnel project. He was able to turn the tables to make it look like NJ was holding the bag and would have to come up with big money to cover the cost beyond the Feds money.

Watch out for him. I intend to send this article to several people in NJ. Thanks.

[dragonlady]

4. Interesting

Objecting to the federal money because it might cost the state something. Wisconsin's new governor (bleh) Scott Walker justified turning down $810 million for extending the railway system because it could cost the state $750,000 a year for operations. Maybe Christie gave him the idea when he came to campaign for Scott.

[karynnj]

6. A similar article is on the top of the front page in my Republican county's paper

He is also not winning fans with the tunnel fight - at least not in Northern NJ.

(Not intended to say that I disagree with your excellent idea of sending this to people in NJ - I think it's a good one.)

Where I think Christie will have a problem is that he is really unlikable.

[Kber]

2. As if being from New Jersey wasn't tough enough.

Now we have this n'einstien representing us to the nation.

[xchrom]

3. recommend

[otohara]

5. Such Hypocrites

kick

[Supersedeas]

7. reminds you of another Governor/elected official who quit her job to work for FOX

[stevenleser]

8. Total Hypocrite. K&R