New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reportedly used nearly $12,000 of taxpayer money to fund food and drinks at MetLife Stadium, where he attended various sporting events and concerts, including Taylor Swift’s 2018 “Reputation Tour.”
He also allegedly used a taxpayer-funded expense account to buy gold cuff links and a “Heirloom Pen Battle Site,” according to records obtained by Politico.
In a statement to The Post, a spokeswoman for the governor’s office said Murphy had “every expectation” the Democratic National Committee would pick up the tab for food and drinks at MetLife Stadium — including $90 for Aquafina water bottles and $45 for extra guacamole at the Jets vs. Cowboys in October 2019 — because it “traditionally covers these costs.”
“Once it became clear that there were outstanding bills that had not been paid, the state stepped up to meet this obligation,” said Jennifer Sciortino, noting that “the $12,000 in question occurred during a time of personnel transition for the state party.”
It remains unclear what business governor Murphy, who took office in 2018, might have on the “Reputation Tour” or at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June 2019 — featuring Cardi B and Meek Mill.
It is also unclear who may have been with the governor at the time.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy reportedly spent nearly $12,000 in taxpayer funds on food and drinks at MetLife Stadium.REUTERS
But Sciortino said the governor’s office is “pursuing reimbursement from the state for costs incurred at MetLife Stadium.”
Phil Swibinski, a spokesman for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, also told Politico: “We are looking into this matter to determine if any additional action is necessary at this time.”
He said, however, the committee had “no knowledge” of the invoice as it came before the current party leadership.
The Post has reached out to the state Democratic Party for more information.
Among the expenses Murphy allegedly incurred were $90 for Aquafina water bottles and $45 for extra guacamole at the Jets vs. Cowboys in October 2019.REUTERS
But Sciortino insisted to Politico that all the other expenses Murphy used to pay for were allowed under state law, which stipulates the $95,000-a-year fund can only be used for “official events, official residences and other official expenses.”
It cannot be used for “personal expenses” and “cannot add [the] The governor’s $175,000 annual salary.”
Records show that in August 2021, Murphy spent more than $3,000 on catering staff sent to his private residence in Monmouth County.
How much did Murphy spend at the MetLife event?
- $936 for snacks at a July 2018 Taylor Swift concert
- $2,095 on September 2018 USA vs Brazil soccer game
- $1,413 at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June 2019
- $2,856 in September 2019 USA vs. Mexico soccer game
- $2,479 on Jets vs. Cowboys October 2019
The invoice does not show who Murphy met with or what events took place at his multimillion-dollar home, according to Politico, but there is also a $1,620 valet parking invoice for an event on the same day.
“Governor Murphy, like others before him, has chosen not to live in the Governor’s Mansion,” Sciortino told Politico, referring to the state’s official residence Drumthwacket.
“Occasionally, he hosts official state affairs at his residence, such as dinners with legislative leadership, prepared by chef Drumthwacket, sometimes with help from outside catering companies if the event is of a larger nature.”
The governor’s office said they are trying to get the state Democratic Party to reimburse the expenses.AP
In May 2018, the governor’s office also spent $253 at the New Jersey State Museum Store — donating $108 for two pairs of “New Jersey State Gold Cufflinks” pens and $145 for five “Heirloom Pen Battlegrounds” pens.
For both purchases, Murphy received a 10% discount for state employees.
Other invoices obtained by Politico show the governor spent more than $3,000 on 30 custom plates from an art studio, as well as $2,300 on 184 custom New Jersey-themed coasters, which Sciortino said were part of a publicly advertised “official state gift” contest for New Jersey Artists.
Another purchase of $900 was made from the account for 50 copies of an art book on Jersey Shore paintings.
Sciortino said the cufflinks, pens, plates, coasters and art books are all “official gifts” for “ordinary purposes,” which would be allowed under state law.
Murphy also allegedly spent $253 at the New Jersey State Museum Store shortly after taking office.AP
“Governors and foreign dignitaries – such as heads of state, ambassadors and consuls general – traditionally present each other with official state gifts,” he said, noting that the items mentioned “were purchased at the beginning of the administration.
“The finished items, along with the book ‘Jersey Shore Impressionists,’ were eventually purchased as official gifts for meetings with dignitaries.”
Despite these expenses, records show Murphy did not exhaust the account each year.
More than $25,000 was not used between 2019 and 2022, Politico reported, and returned to the state budget.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
