New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is accused of using nearly $12,000 in taxpayer money for food and drinks
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is accused of using nearly $12,000 in taxpayer money for food and drinks
He spent $936 on snacks during a Taylor Swift concert in July 2018 and $1,413 at Hot 97's Summer Jam in June 2019, featuring Cardi B and Meek Mill
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Public records show New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy spent nearly $12,000 in taxpayer money for food and drinks at MetLife Stadium
He spent $936 on snacks during a Taylor Swift concert in July 2018 and $1,413 at Hot 97's Summer Jam in June 2019, featuring Cardi B and Meek Mill
His spokesperson said the expenses occurred during a time of staff transition
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy allegedly spent nearly $12,000 in taxpayer money for food and drinks at MetLife Stadium including at Taylor Swift's 'Reputation Tour' concert and a hip-hop music festival.
In addition to food and catering, Murphy also spent $108 on two pairs of 'NJ State Seal Gold Cuff Links' and $145 on five 'Heirloom Pen Battle Sites' pens, according to public records obtained by POLITICO.
The governor's office 'had every expectation' that the Democratic State Committee would cover the food and drink expenses at the stadium, according to Murphy's spokesperson, Jennifer Sciortino.
The state party would cover the stadium expenses because it 'traditionally covers these costs,' Sciortino said.
This includes $936 spent on snacks during a Taylor Swift concert in July 2018 and $1,413 spent at Hot 97's Summer Jam in June 2019, featuring Cardi B and Meek Mill.
The records also specify items from the governor's purchases at MetLife Stadium, such as $90 for Aquafina water and $45 for extra guacamole at the Jets vs. Cowboys game in October 2019, among the thousands of dollars he spent at football and soccer matches.
'Once it was clear that there were outstanding bills that had not been paid, the state stepped up to meet this responsibility,' Sciortino said in a statement to POLITICO.
She added that 'the $12,000 in question occurred during a time of staff transition for the state party.'
However, the Democratic State Committee said it 'had no knowledge of' the invoices as they came before the current party leadership, according to Phil Swibinski, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
'We are looking into the matter in order to determine whether any additional action is necessary at this time,' he said.
From when he took office in 2018 until July 2023, Murphy also spent $280,000 on grocery store purchases, restaurant catering, or catering staff for receptions, many of which were for events at his mansion.
In August 2021. just over $3,000 was spent on catering staff for an event at Murphy's personal residence in Monmouth County.
The same day, there was a $1,620 valet parking invoice for an event.
The expenses were labeled as meetings with Cabinet members, senior staff, or legislative meetings, although it remains unclear who was present at Murphy's home.
'Governor Murphy, like others before him, has chosen to forego living in the official Governor's Mansion,' Sciortino said.
Murphy spent nearly $12,000 in taxpayer money for food and drinks at MetLife Stadium including at Taylor Swift 's 'Reputation Tour' concert
The governor's office 'had every expectation' that the Democratic State Committee would cover the food and drink expenses at the stadium, according to Murphy's spokesperson, Jennifer Sciortino
'On occasion, he hosts official state business at his residence, such as dinners with legislative leadership, which are catered by the Drumthwacket chef, occasionally with help from outside catering companies if the event is larger in nature.'
Murphy spent $108 on two pairs of 'NJ State Seal Gold Cuff Links', $145 on five 'Heirloom Pen Battle Sites' pens, $3,118 for 30 custom plates from a stained glass art studio and $2,300 for 184 custom New Jersey-themed coasters.
For the first two purchases, Murphy received a 10 percent discount as a state employee.
Those were 'official state gifts' for customary purposes, Sciortino said.
'Governors and foreign dignitaries — such as heads of state, ambassadors and consul generals — traditionally gift one another with official state gifts,'
'The items mentioned were purchased at the very onset of the administration. The completed items, along with the book 'Jersey Shore Impressionists,' were eventually purchased as official gifts for meetings with dignitaries.'
Records show that Murphy did not entirely deplete his expense account, with $25,000 remaining unspent and returned to the state between 2019 and 2022.
'On occasion, he hosts official state business at his residence, such as dinners with legislative leadership, which are catered by the Drumthwacket chef, occasionally with help from outside catering companies if the event is larger in nature.'
Murphy spent $108 on two pairs of 'NJ State Seal Gold Cuff Links', $145 on five 'Heirloom Pen Battle Sites' pens, $3,118 for 30 custom plates from a stained glass art studio and $2,300 for 184 custom New Jersey-themed coasters.
For the first two purchases, Murphy received a 10 percent discount as a state employee.
Those were 'official state gifts' for customary purposes, Sciortino said.
'Governors and foreign dignitaries — such as heads of state, ambassadors and consul generals — traditionally gift one another with official state gifts,'
'The items mentioned were purchased at the very onset of the administration. The completed items, along with the book 'Jersey Shore Impressionists,' were eventually purchased as official gifts for meetings with dignitaries.'
Records show that Murphy did not entirely deplete his expense account, with $25,000 remaining unspent and returned to the state between 2019 and 2022.