NJ Republicans want to use leftover campaign funds for GWB defense

[highplainsdem]

Source: Star-Ledger via NJ.com

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie's re-election campaign has asked permission to use leftover campaign funds to pay the legal bills surrounding the investigation into the politically motivated decision to close lanes from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.

Mark Sheridan, counsel to the Republican State Committee and the Christie for Governor campaign, confirmed he sent a letter requesting "an advisory opinion from the Election Law Enforcement Commission as part of its efforts to comply with the subpoenas and New Jersey election law."

-snip-

The commission has handled these requests before. When former Sen. Wayne Bryant was on trial for taking a low-show job at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, ELEC denied his request to use campaign money to pay for his legal defense. In 2010, the state Supreme Court upheld that decision.

Bill Schluter, a former Republican lawmaker who helped establish ELEC, said the state laws on campaign finance leave it as "sort of an unanswered question" whether the funds can be used to answer subpoenas or mount a defense in a criminal case.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/chris_christie_asks_elec_whether_it_can_use_campaign_money_amid_scandals.html

[SunSeeker]

1. No, you can't Christie. Campaign money is for campaigns, not crimes. nt

[Mr.Bill]

2. Sure, why not?

Let the republican donors know that this is how their donations can/will be used. Hell, let them use it for a bail fund when these thugs start getting arrested, too. This should really help to solicit future donations.

[obxhead]

4. It probably would help the donations flood in.

They can then promise to fund future defense costs for whatever crimes they need committed to maximize profit.

[Mr.Bill]

5. You've got a point there. n/t

[rocktivity]

3. Use the funds to raise the minimum wage at newark airport!

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/watch/minimum-wage-a-winning-issue-for-democrats-131723843734


rocktivity

[question everything]

6. I was confused. Why does Bush need NJ funds for defense?

What is he accused now?

Oh, now I get it. Same acronym different subject.

Oh well...

[tofuandbeer]

7. Yeah, I also thought it mean Bush. :D

[sakabatou]

8. Wouldn't that lead to more lawsuits?

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Cannibalism at its best

Either the request will be denied and those involved will have to pay
their own legal bills for their actions (*Horrors*)

or

The request will be granted and the donor pool will be outraged and
close their checkbooks and perhaps sue for misuse of funds

Maybe they can find another slush fund, though

[davidpdx]

10. All the people on the "commission" are probably Christie appointees

So we know what the answer will be.

[mtasselin]

11. NO

You don't reward bad behavior with a reward, make them pay a price. Life has consequences you bastards, squirm, go to trial and if you are found guilty oh well, after you always say you are the party of laws, yeah right.