Posted on 11/09/2010 9:18:27 AM PST by IbJensen
Inspector-general’s report criticizes Christie's travel as U.S. attorney
Washington (AP) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is raising his national political profile as a government cost-cutter, engaged in a pattern of abuse when he was U.S. attorney by billing taxpayers to stay at luxury hotels, the Justice Department's inspector general said .
The inspector general found that the Republican governor, who recently killed the construction of a new rail line to New York under the Hudson River, did not comply with federal travel regulations or provide acceptable justification for lodging costs that exceeded the government rate.
Christie was one of five U.S. attorneys singled out for criticism in the inspector general's review of U.S. attorney travel that exceeded the government lodging rate. Christie was the chief federal prosecutor for New Jersey from 2002 until Dec. 1, 2008, when he resigned to run for governor. He became governor last January.
While the amount of money involved in the review of Christie's travel vouchers is small, $2,176, the IG's report comes at a time when Christie's political star is rising as he focuses on reducing the cost of government.
The inspector general's report concluded that there were other examples of questionable travel by several other U.S. attorneys, but that those instances "were not part of a pattern of abuse like those described" in the section of the report on the five U.S. attorneys.
-snip-
Christie is the first Republican elected New Jersey governor in a dozen years. He was a sought-after guest on the GOP campaign trail during the midterm elections.
Christie has left the door open for a 2016 presidential run. On Sunday, he said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he was "going to need a job" after 2013. He added: "So maybe it will be that. Who knows?"
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
if Holder does shred evidence, will the Republicans hold him accountable?
If they can prove the shred it’d be obstruction of justice.
NO, NO, NO, please God NO!
Admitting any error here in any way loses this fight. Gingrich admitted to a clerical error and lost. Delay is still fighting out from under the mud slinging. Palin managed to side step it. Give them any reason to continue pointing this out as an error on Christie's part and even more mud will fly.
Whatever reason the bureaucracy found to ok the expense back then is still valid today. Don't look back.
This stuff is really small potatoes. It's not like you can always find a Motel 6 room available when expected to report to your boss in DC.
This is a great big joke in comparison to Barack and Michelle's Excellent Adventure in India.
Christie, cut them a check for $2500 and take this issue away from them, permanently. DOnate the extra dough to a charity.
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Ia this normal? To use the government for politics I mean other than the Clinton's and fileGate.
Since the 2012 campaign started last week (that’s how I view it- right after the mid-terms), this comes off as ever more political than if it had been done a year ago. Chis Christie is obviously a man to watch and he has them scared. I hope he deals with this appropriately.
And, of course, Christie didn’t try to hide anything. He submitted honest reimbursement reports which were approved. If they weren’t happy with his expenses, they should have denied some of them or talked to him at the time.
Admit error and it takes the issue away? No it doesn't, it blows the issue up to an issue of admitted corruption.
Make the issue one of corruption on the part of the investigators. Because that's the truth, and that's the only way it will go away.
“The lack of completeness leaves one with only one conclusion - this is a basic leftist hit piece.”
Precisely why we need to have such articles posted, so as you did we can have the opportunity to come to the conclusion as well that it IS a hit piece.
I wonder when this hit audit begun? 2009? Probably.
The IG is Glenn Fine, who was appointed by Bill Clinton in 2000! (this is what happens when we don’t clean house)
So from 2000 to 2009 this was not an issue. Then in 2009 it becomes an issue. Whom appointed most of the USA’s during the period 2001 to 2009, BUSH. Some political hump at AP put two and two together and came out with a report citing Christie and he had to do some digging to identify him as no names were in the report, unless he had someone pointing him in the right direction.
On the other hand, I reviewed the report and note while diminimus in nature, the rules were stretched in many cases.
Obviously, the travel report should have to be approved at a next higher level...and I suppose that is what will be done in the future.
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