The law firm whose contract with the Delaware River and Bay Authority Gov. Christopher Christie vetoed on Friday is run by the brother of political power broker George Norcross.
In a press release today, the Christie administration did not name the firm but said that it vetoed the minutes of the DRBA’s Feb. 16 meeting in which it authorized the contract because it “fails to specify any material terms of the contract – including the hourly rate of legal services, the term, or maximum annual compensation under the contract.”
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said that the firm was Parker McCay in response to an inquiry from PolitickerNJ.com.
Parker McCay is run by Philip Norcross, a prolific Democratic campaign donor who is the brother of George Norcross and state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden). The firm lists him on its web site as its managing shareholder and chief executive officer.
Drewniak cautioned that Christie’s decision to veto the contract had nothing to do with the firm’s leadership.
“It doesn’t matter whatsoever what law firm it is or who is associated with it,” he said. “That’s not the point of our inquiry. The problem is that the DRBA approved an open-ended contract with no indication at all in its resolution or meeting minutes or what the cost of that contract would be.”
Added Drewniak: “Are there any limitations? Is it a $500 contract or a $5 million contract? I don’t know that, and neither would any member of the public who looks at this.”
Christie also vetoed blanket authorizations of more than $25,000 to four vendors. It was the second time he vetoed spending by the DRBA. On his first day in office, he vetoed its 2010 operating budget .
A statement posted on the DRBA’s Web site this evening said that the legal contract was fairly bid out with a Request For Proposal (RFP) — the first time the agency has taken that action. The firms submitted their qualifications with the understanding that their hourly rate would be capped at $250 per hour, according to the statement.
“The Resolution in question does stipulate the term of the contract, which is three years with a one year option. The Board of Commissioners strictly followed Resolution 98-31, which governs procurement at this bi-state agency. Again, the information concerning process was provided to the Governor’s Authorities unit to support this Resolution,” read the statement. “The DRBA Commissioners have consistently and diligently worked to stress accountability throughout the organization to insure that the user fees generated at the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry and all other operations are administered in the public’s interest.”
The statement did not address whether Parker McCay was the lowest bidder.
DRBA spokesman James Salmon said he did not have a copy of the contract to immediately provide.
Parker McCay also counts John Gillespie as a shareholder, who is the brother of former Ed Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and counsel to President George W. Bush. Barry Parker (R-Mt. Holly), a former assembly speaker and senate minority leader, is Of Counsel to the firm.
A message left for Philip Norcross on his law firm’s voicemail system after business hours was not immediately returned.
