New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy likes to go to stadium events.
The problem is, the Democrat doesn’t like paying for the glitzy outings, opting instead to charge the stadium snacks to his taxpayer-funded expense account.
According to public records obtained by PoliticianMurphy spent nearly $12,000 on food and drinks during MetLife Stadium events such as a hip-hop music festival and a Taylor Swift concert.
“Murphy’s office said the Democratic State Committee was initially expected to cover the costs of the stadium, but did not,” Politico reports. “The state was left with the bill, which was paid through Murphy’s $95,000-a-year spending account, a long-standing line item in the state budget that has been constantly renewed under Murphy and his predecessors.”
Now, Murphy’s office is asking the New Jersey Democratic Party to reimburse state taxpayers.
According to Jennifer Sciortino, a spokeswoman for Murphy, the charges were made in 2018 and 2019, “during a time of transition for state party staff.”
“Once it became clear there were outstanding bills that hadn’t been paid, the state stepped up to meet that liability,” he said in a statement to Politico.
“We are seeking reimbursement from the state side for the costs incurred at MetLife Stadium,” he added later.
“The budget language says the governor’s spending account is for ‘Official Receptions, Official Residence and Other Official Expenses,'” Politico explains. “The spending account cannot be used for ‘personal purposes’ and cannot supplement the governor’s $175,000 annual salary.”
Sciortino said Murphy’s office “had every expectation” that the Democratic State Committee would foot the bill for the stadium costs because it “traditionally covers those costs.”
But according to New Jersey Democratic State Committee spokesman Phil Swibinski, the organization was “not aware” of the bills. They preceded the current leadership, he said.
“We are looking into the matter to determine if any further action is necessary at this time,” Swibinski told Politico, noting, “Governor’s spending account records do not show that taxpayers are paying for MetLife Stadium after the 2019”.
Apparently, Murphy was often mistaken in thinking that the Democratic State Committee would pay for things like Aquafina at a Jets vs. Cowboys in October 2019 (which was $90 water) and extra guacamole with another $45.
And, according to Politico, “state records don’t show who attended MetLife Stadium events or what government business Murphy was on during Swift’s 2018 ‘Reputation’ tour or the Hot 97 Jam, which featured Cardi B and Meek Mill.”
Taxpayers will be relieved to know that New Jersey’s leader spends most of his expense account on large receptions at the governor’s mansion, known as Drumthwacket.
“From the start of his term until around July 2023, about $280,000 was spent between grocery shopping, restaurant catering or catering staff for receptions,” Politico found. “Events covered by the expense account include receptions for Hanukkah, Diwali and a meeting with the French ambassador.”
“Records also show that in August 2021, just over $3,000 in catering staff was sent to Murphy’s personal residence in Monmouth County, a sprawling, multimillion-dollar estate on the Navesink River,” the outlet added.
“Governor Murphy, like others before him, has chosen to forgo living in the official Governor’s Mansion,” Sciortino said in a statement. “On occasion, he hosts official state business at his residence, such as legislative leadership dinners, which are catered by Drumthwacket’s chef, sometimes with the help of outside catering companies if the event is larger “.
New Jersey taxpayers were also on the hook for “official state gifts” that Murphy presented to other governors and visiting foreign dignitaries and renovations to Drumthwacket.
“Legislation introduced in previous sessions would have required annual disclosures with the State Ethics Commission about how the funds were spent,” Politico reports. “The bill, however, never moved forward and has not been re-introduced.”
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