General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMr. Christie's Executive Order 24 & The Pinelands Pipeline
On April 27, 2010, Governor Christie signed Executive Order 24. This measure required financial disclosure statements to be filed annually by certain members of the state government. The order contains a detailed list of who must file a statement listing the financial holdings and interests of the employees and their immediate family members. The recently departed Christina Genovese Renna clearly fell within the definition of who is required to file as deputy to Bridget Kelly.
Why is this relevant? Well, the Christie administration threw its weight and influence behind a scheme to ram through a gas pipeline to be built by South Jersey Gas in the environmentally sensitive Pinelands region of south Jersey. Despite protestations that this was a Pinelands Commission matter, the governor's heavy footprints were all over this application, including the fact that Wolff & Samson represented the owners of the power plant this pipeline would serve.
Ms. Genovese Renna was a member of the Governor's staff at this time. Her husband, Michael Renna, was a substantial stock holder and senior executive of South Jersey Industries, the parent company of South Jersey Gas. Clearly. there was a financial interest in anything that benefited South Jersey Gas. The Ethics Commission Database, which you can search for yourself here indicates that she never filed her financial disclosure forms, which would have revealed the financial interest in the outcome of the Pipeline decision. The governor's spokesperson dismissed notions of a conflict of interest as "ludicrous".
Interestingly, Pinelands Commission member Ed Lloyd, a vocal opponent of the pipeline, was forced to recuse himself from voting. Why? Because the governor's office forced the State Ethics Commission to advise him to do so because he is the professor overseeing an environmental law clinic that simply asked for more time for public comment on the project.
So, one more giant moral and ethical failing of the Christie administration. Failure to have a member of his own staff adhere to the rules everyone else has to follow. Having a staff member with a financial interest in the outcome of a project that the governor's office is pushing hard. Trying to ram an environmentally destructive project through a state, national and global environmental treasure. Its a Christie trifecta!
texanwitch
(18,705 posts)Anything for money.
Laxman
(2,419 posts)this is an explanation that only makes sense if you are three years old or have had a lobotomy. (I'll probably have to apologize to the three-year olds who understand how silly this statement is)
Mike Renna is not an employee of SJIs regulated utility South Jersey Gas, said company sopkesman Daniel Lockwood. While he was promoted to president of SJI on January 24, 2014, he has not had nor will he have in the future, any day-to-day responsibility for SJGs pipeline project. That responsibility falls with Jeff DuBois, SJGs president and various other SJG officers.
Renna had been a senior vice president of the parent company.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/02/resigned_christie_staffer_is_married_to_pinelands_pipeline_company_executive.html
Why yeah, nothing to see here. Move along. Please send these guys the definition of conflict of interest.
Dread Pirate Roberts
(1,897 posts)He and his wife didn't own any South Jersey stock. He didn't get bonus based on the performance of the company. This is a big deal for both the governor and South Jersey Gas but they never discussed it at home. There was never any influence going back and forth. And conveniently, no financial disclosure forms to let the public know this relationship existed. Christie & South Jersey Gas were to tightly connected on this matter without this incestuous relationship!
Laxman
(2,419 posts)that makes it O.K.! I take it all back. If only I had known he was in charge of everything, I would clearly have recognized that there's no conflict of interest here.
aquart
(69,014 posts)Beach Rat
(273 posts)O'Dowd, Bridget Kelly, Regina Egea, Chiesa-they all filed their disclosures. Ms Renna/Genovese/Genovese Renna. No dice. And you can search by first name only so the last name possibilities aren't the reason there's no record. Why oh why wouldn't she want anyone to know what her husband did?
I've got to go to work now.
TeamPooka
(24,292 posts)Laxman
(2,419 posts)that the Jersey Devil had internet access and research skills!
classof56
(5,376 posts)First I'd heard of him (being a West Coaster), but I'm now convinced he exists and wonder of wonders, has internet access. Wow! The FB crew were in the Pinelands looking for their favorite elusive creature, and I was impressed by what a beautiful area it is. I figure Jersey Devil and Bigfoot hang out together, making mischief but rarely seen by humans. Maybe they can stop that pipeline project--one can hope!
And yes, true confession here, I watch Finding Bigfoot. Hey, it's a diversion and who knows? One day the BFRO gang of four might just find him. Meanwhile, it's a kick to observe their quest, plus educational. I now know about the Jersey Pinelands and the Devil that roams there, right? Maybe he even has his own blog!
Cheers!
Laxman
(2,419 posts)not to be trifled with so some millionaires can make a couple of more bucks!
rocktivity
(44,585 posts)Why was it so important to them that it run from Maurice River Township to Beesley's Point?
rocktivity
Laxman
(2,419 posts)rocktivity
(44,585 posts)thereby making its creation more cost effective? Now I get it.
rocktivity
Laxman
(2,419 posts)logistically it was easier to follow some existing roads, fewer waterways to cross. It was all about doing it as cheaply as possible-not what was best environmentally.
pnwmom
(109,024 posts)people can almost get numb. "So he's corrupt already! We get it!"
I hope that if Bridgegate goes away for him, that doesn't give him a get-out-of-jail free card for everything else -- in the eyes of the media, I mean.
Laxman
(2,419 posts)sorry to be throwing so much stuff out there. I'm just so outraged by this guy and I'm aware of too much.
marble falls
(57,479 posts)Hows that for a leftwing source?
Laxman
(2,419 posts)A talent for bluster....that's him.
marble falls
(57,479 posts)Cha
(298,021 posts)little small minded blokes infested the Christie admin led by mr tiny mind himself.
chris Christie is over taking every evil political operative from hell in the 21st century. When will it ever end?! Just think if those emails hadn't been "leaked".. he and his gang of cutthroats would still be going at it.
thanks Lax
Laxman
(2,419 posts)(7) The following members of the staff of the Office
of the Governor:
(i) Chief of Staff;
(ii) Chief Counsel to the Governor;
(iii) Director of Communications;
(iv) Deputy Chiefs of Staff;
(v) Deputy Chief Counsel;
(vi) Director of the Authorities Unit;
(vii) Appointments Counsel;
(viii) Director of Operations; and
(ix) Any deputy or principal administrative
assistant to any of the foregoing members
of the staff of the Office of the
Governor;
Ms. Genovese-Renna was a deputy to the deputy (Bridget Kelly)
Cha
(298,021 posts)Laxman
(2,419 posts)more than the reason people started looking under the rocks. And look at all the creepy crawly things that have come scurrying out!
Cha
(298,021 posts)Rock.. All the better to cover soooo Much Corruption!
The Harder they Fall..
Who will go down? And, who will..
Laxman
(2,419 posts)The Harder They Fall-One and All!
Cha
(298,021 posts)that the other night in dishonor of the chris Christie Admin!
Dread Pirate Roberts
(1,897 posts)Very interesting. Stepien seems to have had a lot of cash in the bank! How many people have between 50 & 100 K in cash laying around?
RGinNJ
(1,021 posts)Laxman
(2,419 posts)Proof that people CAN make a difference. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that it's not over! I love the Pinelands, but as I explained in an earlier post, this is the kind of place that even if you'll never go there, you should be happy its protected.
Laxman
(2,419 posts)back to the top for an important addition. This involves South Jersey Gas, The Koch Brothers, the American Gas Association The New Jersey Laborer's Union (very vocal supporters of the pipeline) and The Republican Governor's Association-all players in the Pipeline. South Jersey Gas belongs to the American Gas Association. The American Gas Association is a major contributor to the Republican Governor's Association-making donations on a regular basis. See here: http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail_donors.php?cycle=2014&cname=gas&ein=113655877&page=1.
Additionally, Koch Industries and the NJ Laborers PAC are #1 and #7 in the list of top contributors to the Republican Governors Association that you can find here: http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail_contribs.php?cycle=2014&ein=113655877
2 Contran Corp $1,000,000
2 Perry Homes $1,000,000
4 Blue Cross/Blue Shield $975,000
5 KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS/HOMEMAKER $500,000
5 Florida Power & Light $500,000
7 NEW JERSEY LABORERS PAC NON-FEDERAL ACCO $300,000
8 American Beverage Assn $275,000
9 USAA $260,000
10 Pharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America $255,000
11 COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH MANAGEMENT $250,000
11 ATANDT SERVICES $250,000
11 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals $250,000
11 Wal-Mart Stores $250,000
11 Sanofi-Aventis US $250,000
11 Hess Corp $250,000
11 DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION Co, LP $250,000
11 CAXTON ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT LP $250,000
19 Exxon Mobil $225,000
20 Travelers Indemnity $175,000
Interesting money trail related to this project.