Democratic Assemblyman plans probe of Christie's office over Sandy aid

[George II]

Source: Bergen Record

TRENTON — A New Jersey Democrat leading the investigation into traffic jams orchestrated by Gov. Chris Christie's aides says his committee will look into a new allegation of political retribution by the Republican administration.

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Assemblyman John Wisniewski says Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer's allegation that Superstorm Sandy recovery funds were withheld from her town because she wouldn't support a politically connected real estate development is a serious new charge.

The governor's office vigorously denies the mayor's claims.

Christie spokesman Colin Reed says the administration helped Zimmer secure aid after the storm severely flooded the Hudson River town.

Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Democratic_Assemblyman_plans_probe_of_Christies_office_over_Sandy_aid.html

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And the beat goes on.....

[mucifer]

1. are the feds involved yet?

[George II]

2. Yes, starting with the marketing campaign highlighting Christie and his family....here's more:

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/chris_christie_facing_federal_investigation_over_use_of_sandy_funds.html

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie, already mired in a scandal over whether his aides caused a traffic jam in Fort Lee as political retribution, is being investigated by federal officials about his use of Hurricane Sandy relief money, a New Jersey congressman announced today.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) said that the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will audit New Jersey's use of $25 million of federal Sandy aid funds for a marketing campaign to promote tourism at the Jersey Shore, including a television ad that featured Christie and his family prominently during his re-election campaign

I'm sure that with the revelations of this weekend that investigation will expand to the way Christie used other Sandy funds, too.

[George II]

3. More about the impending federal investigation:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014702393

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014702473

[Bandit]

4. Colin Reed says the administration helped Zimmer secure aid after the storm

Should be a fairly easy thing to confirm. Either Hoboken received Hurricane relief funding or it did not. I would not call $347,000. much relief funding; and by all appearances that is the entire amount received by Hoboken, which was one of the hardest hit cities in New Jersey.