TRENTON, NJ – We knew Governor Phil Murphy was trouble, and look what he’s trying to make us do. After word got out that the millionaire ex-Wall Street exec who lives in a lavish waterfront mansion and private villa in Italy charged a $12,000 night with Taylor Swift to the State of New Jersey, he and his team are trying to shake it off.
There’s a lack of style on the part of the governor and now, he’s telling his staffers, “Don’t Blame Me.”
We all know how expensive Taylor Swift concerts are, but we would expect a multi-millionaire governor to pay his own way.
But in all seriousness, this is serious.
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is now requesting the state Democratic Party to refund taxpayers for the $12,000 spent at MetLife Stadium for events, including a Taylor Swift concert.
Murphy’s spending came into light after Politico reported the governor used funds from his $95,000 annual personal expense account, designated for “Official Receptions, Official Residence, and Other Official Expenses.”
The account rules prohibit its use for “personal purposes.”
When questioned, the governor’s office said it originally intended for the state Democratic Party to cover the expenses. Jennifer Sciortino,
Jennifer Sciortino, Murphy’s spokesperson said the governor “had every expectation” that the people of New Jersey would be reimbursed by the state Democrat party, adding the Democrats,“traditionally covers these costs.”
“We are pursuing reimbursement from the state party for costs incurred at MetLife Stadium,” she added.
“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.
This is the first time Murphy’s spending from the personal expense account has gained public attention since he took office in 2018. However, Chris Christie, his Republican predecessor, faced similar scrutiny and had the Republican State Committee reimburse more than $82,000 to the state for costs at the same stadium.
Budget guidelines specify that the governor’s personal expense account cannot be used to supplement his $175,000 annual salary. Murphy’s office confirmed the state was left to foot the bill when the Democratic State Committee failed to cover the costs as initially expected.
Phil Swibinski, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, claimed the organization “had no knowledge” of the outstanding invoices, stating they originated before the current party leadership took office.