Report: Feds Investigating Christie's Use Of Hurricane Sandy Funds For Tourism Ads

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

CATHERINE THOMPSON – JANUARY 13, 2014, 8:10 AM EST

Federal officials are looking into whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) improperly put Hurricane Sandy relief funds towards Jersey Shore tourism ads, CNN reported Monday.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) told CNN that federal auditors are expected to examine the state's use of $25 million in Sandy relief funds to market the tourism campaign, which starred Christie and his family. Pallone asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development inspector general in August to look into how Christie spent the funds.

"This was money that could have directly been used for Sandy recovery," the New Jersey congressman told CNN. "And, as you know, many of my constituents still haven't gotten the money that is owed them to rebuild their homes or raise their homes or to help."

Pallone wrote in his letter to HUD that he was concerned about the bidding process for the ads, according to CNN. The winning bid for the marketing plan featuring Christie, he noted, cost $2 million more than the losing firm's proposal, which did not feature the governor and his family.

:::snip:::

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/feds_investigating_christie_sandy_funds

[truthisfreedom]

1. Heh.

[Botany]

2. You'se guys are gonna take that bid if you know what is good for you.

"The winning bid for the marketing plan featuring Christie, he noted, cost $2 million more than
the losing firm's proposal, which did not feature the governor and his family."

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. "raise their homes" raise???

I think they mean "raze".....

Don...I just found that story on my Breaking News site, and here, once again, you are SO on top of posting the latest!
Most excellent...

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Raise may be correct

Placing coastline homes on stilts is a fairly common practice.

[Kingofalldems]

5. Kick and Rec all Christie GWB threads.

And now this.

[bklyncowgirl]

6. "Stronger than the Storm" ads. I remember when this news came out the NJ Democrats let it drop

I thought it was an outrage but apparently Democrats in the state legislature were not particularly perturbed--the company which produced these 'Stronger than the Storm' commercials had been careful to donate to both Republicans and Democrats.

Good to see Pallone on this but why did it take so long?

[loudsue]

7. Maybe because Christie had everyone else by the short hairs at the time.

They evidently didn't dare to cross him.

[Control-Z]

8. Seems reasonable.

If they could save two million dollars by using the Christie family instead of real actors, I don't see what the problem is.

Wait a minute. He did what?

[WinkyDink]

9. Take the cannoli.

[onehandle]

10. FINALLY! Those ads ran up here 24/7 before the election.

Christie should be PERSONALLY responsible for reimbursement for FREE ELECTION ADVERTISING.

Also, make him pay for the unnecessary extra election late last year.

50 MILLION DOLLARS!

Hand it over, Crook!

[Shampoobra]

11. Two million

"The winning bid for the marketing plan featuring Christie, he noted, cost $2 million more than the losing firm's proposal, which did not feature the governor and his family."

That quote is a doughnut, and I'm Homer Simpson.

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. Kick (nt)

[olddad56]

13. so very repubican-esque of him. so sterotypical.

He will make the perfect candidate for the GOP Presidential nominee.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Kick (nt)

[appacom]

15. Christie needs to call Olivia Pope immediately. He needs the Gladiators, especially Huck.