User:Djflem/Federal investigation of Sandy Relief Funds in New Jersey

federal investigations of Sandy relief funds in New Jersey began in January 2013 to discover if the administration of Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, had possibly misused, abused, or otherwise misapplied them. The investigations were precipitated by a request from Frank Pallone, U.S. Representative for NJ's 6th congressional district, to inquiry into the potentially inapporiate use of the funds for an advertising campaign in which the Christie family is prominently featured.

by Mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer who claimed that Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey Kim Guadagno and another Christie staff member had insinuated that more funds would come to city if it approved a zoning plan and construction project in its northwest quadrant. The project is proposed by the Rockefeller Group, which at the time was represented by the law firm of David Samson, a Christie appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). After interview with Zimmerman and review of potential evidence material the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that the allegations warranted further research and opened an investigation. The investigation drew attention to the questionable use of funds for advertising and other construction projects at a time when the Christie administration and the PANYNJ are under state and federal scrutiny involving the Fort Lee George Washington Bridge lane closures which occurred in September 2013.

Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy, on October 29, 2012, caused a 13-foot tidal surge that inundated many coastal communities in New jersey.

Hurricane Sandy relief bill
On December 28, 2012, the U.S. Senate approved an emergency relief bill to provide $60 billion for states affected by Hurricane Sandy, but the House (in effect) postponed action until the next session (which began January 3) by adjourning without voting on the bill. On January 2, Christie criticized the postponement as "selfishness and duplicity" that was "disgusting to watch", saying there was "only one group to blame, the Republican Party and Speaker Boehner". A bill was eventually passed in the House on January 15, after Boehner forced it onto the floor over the objection of the majority of Republicans in the House.

Northwest quadrant and Rockefeller Group
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.

Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units.

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.eFsYlt2T.dpuf http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/02/northwest_corner_of_hoboken_to.html http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/21633181/article--BREAKING--What-will-be-built-in-northwest-Hoboken--City-releases-study-

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/nyregion/powerful-allies-pushed-a-project-in-new-jersey.html?_r=0

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/post_468.html Light rail station

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/report_nj_transit_and_law_firm_linked_to_christie_secretly_agreed_to_build_light_rail_station_in_hob.html#incart_river_default NJT secret deal

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/01/emails_show_state_officials_concerned_about_rockefeller_group_properties_in_hoboken_report.html

Hurricane Sandy
October 28, In anticipation to Hurricane Sandy, Hoboken residents of basement and street-level residential units were ordered to to evacuate their homes due to potential flooding,. which eventually did occur, with half the city flooded..

In December 2013 Mayor Dawn Zimmer testified before a U.S. Senate Committee on the impact the storm had on Hoboken's businesses and residents,

Zimmer claim and Guadagno denial
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/hoboken_mayor_claims_christie_administration_held_citys_sandy_recovery_funds_hostage.html

On January 18, 2014 Zimmer claimed that Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey Kim Guadagno and Richard Constable, a member of governor Chris Christie's cabinet, insinuated that more Sandy relief funds would be released to the city if it approved a project in its northwest quadrant. The allegation was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investiagtion which began a further investigation on.

a charge that the Christie administration denied. Richard Constable, a member of governor Chris Christie's cabinet, deliberately held back Hurricane Sandy relief funds from the city in order to pressure her to approve a Christie ally's developmental project,

On January 18, 2014 Zimmer claimed that Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey Kim Guadagno and Richard Constable, a member of governor Chris Christie's cabinet, insinuated that more Sandy relief funds would be released to the city if it approved a project in its northwest quadrant.

a charge that the Christie administration denied.

On January 18, 2014, Hoboken, Democratic Mayor Dawn Zimmer alleged that two of Christie's appointees (including his Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno) threatened to withhold federal Hurricane Sandy relief funds from Hoboken unless Zimmer approved a Governor-favored private development project there. As of February 12, 2014, the mayor's office had refused to comply with requests under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act for records of her communications with groups such as the Democratic National Committee and MSNBC.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/recordpolitics/Guadagno_denies_allegations_she_delivered_strong-arm_message_to_Hoboken_mayor.html http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/nj-lt-gov-denies-illogical-allegations

FBI investigation
On January 23, NBC News on that the Fedral Bureau of Investigations agents are began investigating the accusations, instructing witnesses to “preserve all documents and emails relating to the allegations.” http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/NBC-Sources-FBI-Questions-Witnesses-in-Alleged-Sandy-Relief-Fund-Threat-241581671.html http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/22/22404789-fbi-questions-hoboken-mayors-aides-over-alleged-sandy-relief-funds-threat-sources?lite

Governor's office investigation
The Christie administration is also conducting a investigation into the matter. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-10/christie-request-for-interview-with-hoboken-mayor-rebuffed-1-.html

Hammerman and Gainer (HGI) contract
Hammerman and Gainer

http://www.wnyc.org/story/christies-biggest-sandy-contractor-quietly-fired/ http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-26/news/46605322_1_housing-recovery-contract-housing-assistance-program http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-26/news/46605322_1_housing-recovery-contract-housing-assistance-program
 * http://www.hgi-global.com

http://www.app.com/article/20140129/NJNEWS1002/301290061/Chris-Christie-Sandy request inquiry

Borae Development project in New Brunswick
The Gateway in New Brunswick and One Riverview in Newark are two Borae projects to have have received city and state tax incentives.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/Chris-Christie-Sandy-Aid-Questions-New-Apartment-Tower-Untouched-Storm-242872821.html http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/48_million_in_sandy_relief_funds_went_to_new_brunswick_apartment_complex.html http://newbrunswicktoday.com/article/breaking-48m-sandy-relief-money-went-fund-luxury-apartment-tower-new-brunswick

Belleville housing development
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/questions_raised_about_christies_use_of_sandy_funds_to_build_complex_in_town_where_mayor_endorsed_hi.html http://www.salon.com/2014/01/28/did_christie_use_sandy_funds_to_secure_a_democratic_mayors_endorsement/