N.J. Gov. Christie spent $82,000 on concessions at Jets, Giants games: report
A New Jersey watchdog report indicates that Gov. Chris Christie spent more than $82,000 in state funds on concessions at Jets and Giants games during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
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The figures came to light as part of an overall investigation by New Jersey Watchdog into the governor’s use of an expense account. Christie is paid $175,000 per year, and also has access to a $95,000 annual expense account. Over the course of his five years in office, Christie has spent $360,000 from the account, with more than 80 percent of that, $300,000, dedicated to food and drink. The account’s purpose, according to the state’s budget, is “an allowance of funds not otherwise appropriated and used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official residence, for other expenses.”
Christie is a noted football fan, albeit a Dallas Cowboys one, and during the 2010 and 2011 seasons spent $82,594 in 58 separate transactions at MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets and Giants. New Jersey’s governor receives a free luxury box for games and other events at the stadium, a public facility, but food and beverages come at a cost.
While Christie’s office did not disclose the items or purpose of the expenditures at the stadium, a spokesman released a statement: “The official nature and business purpose of the event remains the case regardless of whether the event is at the State House, Drumthwacket or a sporting venue.”
However, in a bit of political foresight, the New Jersey Republican State Committee reimbursed the state’s treasury in March 2012 for the expenditures, understanding that it could become a political, yes, football. As it just has. Since then, Christie has not used the expense account at the stadium or other sports venues, according to the report.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter.
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