NJ Senators Say Sandy Aid Accusations Part Of 'Disturbing' Pattern Of Christie 'Abuse

[DonViejo]

HUNTER WALKER – JANUARY 18, 2014, 6:28 PM EST

Democratic members of New Jersey's state Senate issued statements Saturday afternoon responding to allegations made by the mayor of Hoboken, N.J. that the administration of Gov. Chris Christie (R) withheld Hurricane Sandy relief funds from her city until she approved a real estate project. State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D) and Senator Loretta Weinberg (D) said, coupled with the questions about last September's lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, the new accusations indicate a "pattern" of abusive behavior by the Christie administration,

Weinberg is the chair of the state Senate's committee dedicated to investigating the lane closures, which she and other Democrats have alleged were ordered by Christie's allies to retaliate against a mayor who declined to endorse his re-election bid. She vowed the Senate committee would "pursue the latest assertion to determine if it is true and if it is related to what happened in Fort Lee."

"This is a serious allegation that, if true, reveals another abuse of power by the administration. Withholding emergency funds intended to help storm victims to advance a development project would be especially deplorable," Weinberg said. "These disclosures are revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse of government responsibility, a possible misuse of public resources and the betrayal of trust."

Sweeney called the allegations, which were first revealed on MSNBC's "Up With Steve Kornacki" Saturday morning, "extremely disturbing" and potentially "illegal. The lane closings were an abuse of power. These new revelations suggest a pattern of behavior by the highest-ranking members of this administration that is deeply offensive to the people of New Jersey," Sweeney said. "If true, they could be illegal. There is no place in public service for actions like this or for the people who are responsible."

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/senators-hoboken-sandy-christie-allegations

[polichick]

1. k&r

[Cha]

2. Yeah, I guess it's turning out to be no big secret that

his Crispiness has a pattern of abusive bully behavior. Never know it by the damn election though. Karma can certainly chose her own sweet time to become a 3!+(#!

Thanks DV

[libdem4life]

3. Seems nobody wants to touch the development deal that miraculously completed funding

the following Monday. Lane closing was the new fashioned clubbing of the knees.

Nothing gives more impetus to cronyism at best and pay for play at worst, than a major development. Hundreds of people are involved who gain or lose...but it all starts with who gets to be The Developer. Magnificent political favors can be repaid with those jobs, contracts and that cash.

Closing the Lanes is a smokescreen...the smoke and mirrors...and that's why they were furious when Patrick Foye (from the New York side) instructed the lanes to reopen on Friday. Next business day, immense funding package completed. Not a coincidence...no way, no how.