A new report by the group New Jersey Watchdog paints a lavish picture of Gov. Chris Christie’s spending habits over the course of his time in the front office, where he apparently ran through $360,000 in his state allowance during his five year tenure — with more than 80 percent of it going toward food, alcohol and desserts.
“In addition to his $175,000 a year salary, the governor receives $95,000 a year in expense advances, paid quarterly by the state. In the state budget, it is listed as “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.”
While Christie returns surplus funds to the state each year, Treasury officials say he does not submit receipts or accounting for the public monies he spends. The governor’s ledger, obtained from Christie under the Open Public Records Act, offers a rare, if partial glimpse of a controversial expense account shrouded in secrecy.”
Read more here.
