Christie Holds Sandy Aid Hostage In Hoboken – The Straw That Breaks The Camel’s Back

… we are concerned that the reviews taking place under state authority may be compromised by politics. According to the New Jersey Comptroller’s website, the law firm of Wolff & Samson has been selected as a contractor to conduct various auditing and program oversight functions.

One of the named partners of that firm, David Samson, served as Gov. Christie’s campaign counsel and as the head of his gubernatorial transition. In addition, Mr. Samson is Gov. Christie’s appointee to the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Moreover, the principal in Samson’s firm overseeing audit management of the state Department of Community Affairs is Lori Grifa, Christie’s director of that same agency from 2010 to 2012.

The political connections and revolving door dynamics raise issues of the independence and objectivity of state contract auditors. These dynamics further argue for the need of a thorough independent audit of these expenditures. 

Our disclosures of the role of Christie, Samson & Grifa in oversight of Sandy money – reported by the NY Times –  were ignored by the NJ press corps.

In addition to the HUD IG complaint disclosures, we have been longstanding critics of the role of “Red Tape Czar” Lt. Gov. Guadagno in terms of providing closed door access to promote business and development interests. Most recently here:

But Bill Wolfe, who now runs Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said there is a downside to her ties with businesses, particularly big firms.

“She has quarterbacked what we call Gov. Christie’s attack on environmental protection,” he said. Wolfe said Guadagno’s position lets businesses have a say on regulations under consideration before they are made public, something he said could doom protections. He said it’s unclear how much that happens because any meetings are not part of the public record.  ~~~  NJ’s 2nd-in-Command Could Become Governor(AP, 11/1/13)

So, with all that in mind, my head is now exploding as I watch Steve Kornaki at MSNBC validate all those criticisms with an explosive story of how Gov. Christie held Sandy aid hostage in Hoboken, and how he used Lt. Gov Guadagno, David Samson, and Lori Grifa in that scheme.

YOU MUST WATCH THIS STORY (LINK)

No wonder Gov. Christie wanted Samson and Grifa in control of the Sandy audit.

We expect that Gov. Christie’s attempt to hold Sandy aid hostage in Hoboken will trigger its own round of criminal and HUD IG investigations.