Chris Christie Spent More than $82,000 Of Taxpayer Money On Food At Football Games

Gov. Chris Christie wasted $82,594 of taxpayer money on food he bought while attending football games in 2010 and 2011.

New Jersey Watchdog reported:

Christie’s most notable spending spree occurred during the 2010 and 2011 NFL football seasons at MetLife Stadium, where the New York’s Giants and Jets play their home games. New Jersey’s governor traditionally enjoys free use of luxury boxes for games and other events at the government-owned venue, but food and beverages cost extra.

On 58 occasions, Christie used a debit card to pay a total of $82,594 to Delaware North Sportservice, which operates the concessions at MetLife. The governor’s office did not provide any receipts, business reasons or names of individuals entertained, but defended the expense.

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This is an example of the kind of “conservatism” that many Republicans have embraced. The food sold at sporting events is very expensive. It is difficult for most taxpayers to believe that elected officials are doing much public business at these events. The taxpayers should not have to pay for Chris Christie’s nachos and Coke at the game.

If Christie, or any other elected official, wants to attend a game, they should have to do it like everyone else. Christie should be responsible for his own food and beverage costs. Spending money that people work hard for on wasteful junk food at the game is something that Chris Christie should be ashamed of.

There are far too many Republicans like Christie, who talk about cutting benefits for those in need and pensions for public workers, while personally living it up on the taxpayers’ dime.

Christie’s behavior a symptom of a larger and more hypocritical Republican disease.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association