U.S. Attorney, NJ Legislature in high-stakes battle

[rusty charly]

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and state lawmakers are locked in a secret legal battle over his attempts to launch a wide-ranging investigation of the New Jersey Legislature.

The unusual showdown stems from a broad federal subpoena seeking internal memos, e-mails and other records that the Legislature generates each year when putting together the annual budget.

The documents are at the heart of an inquiry by Christie that is focused on potential legislative conflicts, and specifically whether some elected officials steered money to nonprofit organizations or institutions that would have benefited themselves, friends or family, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.

The U.S. Attorney's office and state legislative officials declined comment. However, The Star-Ledger has learned that both sides will appear before U.S. District Judge Mary Cooper in Trenton on Wednesday to argue whether the Legislature can be forced to turn over records it considers confidential.

http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-11/1171172267136630.xml&coll=1

[ramapodem]

1. And we wonder why our state gets such a bad rap

[LiberalEsto]

2. The reputation is well-earned

I gew up in NJ and worked as a newspaper reporter there for 18 years. Political sleaze is a cottage industry.

One thing they should do is stop allowing people to hold more than one elected office at a time. There are far too many mayors also serving in the state legislature, concentrating power in fewer hands.

[ramapodem]

3. Maybe....

but would someone please think about the pensions