Cardinale: The Corzine Record on Hiring Politically Connected Lawyers

"The state has spent $89.2 million to outsource legal work in the last four years, most to large firms with political connections. . ."

From the Trenton Times article, "State Paid $89.2M to Law Firms With Political Ties," Dec. 28, 2008

Senator Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen County, asked today whether the Corzine administration finally will take actions that match its election-year hyperbole about the evils of hiring politically connected law firms. The Times of Trenton reported in December that every law firm that received state business had an "active Democratic donor, former politician, attorney general or Supreme Court justice in its stable of lawyers."

"Blustery rhetoric from Governor Corzine and his surrogates might lead some to believe the administration has never hired a lawyer with political connections," Senator Cardinale said. "The record shows clearly that this is not the case."

Just this week, a newspaper reported the Corzine administration hired a politically connected law firm for the new Hudson River tunnel project. In another example with a different law firm, the Corzine administration paid more than $6 million to Skadden Arps for advice on the governor's failed plan to raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway by 800 percent. Skadden Arps also contributed $61, 750 to the U.S. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee when Corzine, then a U.S. senator, was its chairman in 2003 and 2005, the Asbury Park Press wrote in an April 1, 2008 editorial.

"No one has suggested that the work done by these law firms is inadequate in any way," Senator Cardinale said. "At the same time, no one has heard the governor suggest that his administration stop hiring politically connected law firms, or that the Legislature ban lawyers from donating to campaigns. The governor should make his rhetoric match his actions, rather than pointing fingers at others."

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