Embattled NJ Governor faces probe over Sandy funds
Updated: 2014-01-14 10:06
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
US investigators are looking into whether embattled New Jersey Governor Chris Christie misused about $2 million in Superstorm Sandy relief funds for an ad campaign that put him in the spotlight in an election year, officials said on Monday.
Already enmeshed in a scandal over snarled traffic at the George Washington Bridge, Christie, a likely 2016 Republican presidential contender, is now being audited by the Inspector General at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, an agency spokesman said.
The probe began after HUD received a request from Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, the spokesman said.
The inspector is focusing on a federally financed $25 million marketing campaign intended to draw visitors back to the Jersey Shore as the area struggled to rebuild from the damage unleashed by Sandy in late 2012. The campaign included a television commercial featuring Christie and his family that cost $2 million more than a competing bid that would not have featured them.
"It is inappropriate for taxpayer-funded dollars that are critical to our state's recovery from this natural disaster to fund commercials that could potentially benefit a political campaign," Pallone said in an August 8, 2013 letter requesting the investigation.
In a statement responding to the probe, Christie's office noted that HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had lauded the ad campaign and suggested that Pallone's request for an investigation was motivated by political considerations.
"We're confident that any review will show that the ads were a key part in helping New Jersey get back on its feet after being struck by the worst storm in state history," said Christie spokesman Colin Reed.
Sandy devastated New York, New Jersey and other parts of the East Coast on October 29, 2012. The storm killed at least 159 people and damaged or destroyed more than 650,000 homes, many in Pallone's district on the Jersey Shore, where the storm made landfall.
- Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA best player award
- Xuelong carries on mission after breaking from floes
- Beijing and Sofia vow new initiatives
- 71st Golden Globe Awards
- Bangkok unrest hurts major projects and tourism industry
- No pant for cold subway ride
- Tough army training turns boys into men
- Blaze prompts concern for ancient buildings
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Shangri-la assets lost forever after town blaze |
Look back at a year of mixed blessings |
Police all a-twitter about Weibo |
A different class of teaching |
HK media mogul passes away |
Drug base fell to long arm of law |
Today's Top News
Jackson's family bid for new trial denied
Newspapers must change or die
Abe’s brother to explain shrine visit to US
Protests cannot end Thai deadlock: observers
Mercy killing still a hot button issue
China builds army 'with peace in mind'
UN plea made on war victims
Li: China's tech innovation a priority
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |