Records show that in his first term, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy spent nearly $12,000 of taxpayer money on food and drinks at MetLife stadium events, including a 2018 Taylor Swift concert and a music festival. After being asked about taxpayers picking up his bill at the New Jersey stadium, Murphy, a Democrat, told Politico that his office is asking the state Democratic Party to reimburse taxpayers.
Murphy’s office added that it thought the Democratic State Committee would be footing the bill. When the committee didn’t, Murphy’s office said he paid for the expenses using his $95,000 annual expense account. The account is designated for “official receptions, official residence, and other official expenses.”
In total, public records obtained by Politico show in 2018 and 2019, the governor racked up a bill at MetLife stadium totaling $11,847, which included:
- $936 at a July 2018 Taylor Swift concert.
- $2,095 at a September 2018 USA vs. Brazil soccer game.
- $2,068 at a November 2018 Jets football game.
- $1,413 at the June 2019 Hot 97’s Summer Jam music festival.
- $2,856 at a September 2019 USA vs. Mexico soccer game.
- $2,479 at an October 2019 Jets football game.
At the Jets football game against the New England Patriots in 2019, records show an invoice for $90 in bottled water alone. The records do not show who was in attendance with the governor or the purpose of attending the events.
Gov. Murphy isn’t alone in spending taxpayer funds at MetLife Stadium; his Republican predecessor, Chris Christie, spent more than $82,000 in concessions at MetLife Stadium during the 2011-2012 NFL season when he was governor of New Jersey.
At the time, Christie’s spending scandal was picked up and reported on by dozens of news outlets, and late night talk shows.
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A spokesperson at the New Jersey Democratic State Committee told Politico that the Party did not know of the invoices as they came before new leadership took over. The spokesperson added that the Party is looking into the situation to see if further action needs to be taken.
Records show that since taking office, Murphy’s expense account has been primarily used for receptions, official state gifts, and renovations at his mansion.
Records also show that between 2019 and 2022, Murphy returned more than $25,000 that went unused from the expense account to the state.
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