Chris Christie Spent $82,000 of State Money on Snacks at NFL Games
New Jersey governor Chris Christie is a big football fan, but he is also apparently a big fan of snacks at football stadiums._According_to New Jersey Watchdog, Christie reportedly spent over $82,000 of taxpayer money on concessions at MetLife Stadium.Christie paid for food and drinks at MetLife with a debit card 58 times over the 2010 and 2011 NFL seasons, accruing a bill of_$82,594. That means he spent an average of nearly $1,500 on food and drinks every time he attended a football game.
The money came from Christie's state allowance, a $95,000 sum he's given on a quarterly basis to be "used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official residence, for other expenses."
Update: Christie's office points out that expenses incurred at NFL games are reimbursed by the NJGOP. According to Christie's Press Secretary, Kevin Roberts:
“Whenever the Governor hosts an event in his official capacity, the discretionary account is available to pay for those costs associated with official reception and hosting and related incidental expenses._ The official nature and business purpose of the event remains the case regardless of whether the event is at the State House, Drumthwacket, or at a sporting venue._ Nonetheless in early 2012, the Governor made the decision that costs associated with hosting at the sporting venues were better paid with non-state funds, and those expenses incurred during 2010 and 2011 were reimbursed by the NJGOP._ This week, to ensure this remains the case in full, the NJGOP reimbursed the Treasury for an additional $3,367.22 to deal with an accounting anomaly.”