New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) has come under scrutiny for reportedly using taxpayer funds to purchase food and beverages during stadium events, including a Taylor Swift concert. According to public records obtained by Politico, approximately $12,000 was charged to his taxpayer-funded expense account for these outings. The expenses were not intended for personal use or supplementing Murphy’s salary of $175,000, highlighting a potential misuse of funds.
Murphy’s office has stated that it has requested reimbursement from the state Democrat Party to cover the expenses. They believed at the time that the party officials would bear the costs, as this was reportedly a typical practice. However, when it became apparent that the outstanding bills had not been paid, the state stepped in to take responsibility.
This incident is not the first time Governor Murphy has faced controversy surrounding the use of taxpayer funds. Last year, he was accused of improperly allocating $10 million in Chinese coronavirus relief funds to illegal aliens in the form of stimulus checks. These funds, originally intended for American citizens, were used to provide financial relief to nearly half a million illegal aliens residing in New Jersey.
Furthermore, in December 2021, Governor Murphy received criticism for vacationing in Costa Rica while the state was experiencing a high rate of COVID-19 cases. This was the third personal getaway he had taken in the past five months, which included trips to his multimillion-dollar villa in Italy’s Umbria region and a three-day vacation to Orlando with his family around Thanksgiving.
It is worth noting that Taylor Swift, the artist whose concert was attended by Governor Murphy, has been actively encouraging her fans to register to vote as the presidential election draws near.
The use of taxpayer funds for personal expenses raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of elected officials. It remains to be seen whether the reimbursement from the state Democrat Party will provide sufficient restitution in this case. As New Jersey residents continue to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the appropriate use of taxpayer resources is of utmost importance.
