NJ.com is reporting that the New Jersey State Police unit tasked with keeping Gov. Chris Christie safe has billed the state for nearly $1 million for travel expenses since the governor took office.
The report came on the heels of controversy sparked by Christie’s trip to Texas on Jan. 4 to root for the Dallas Cowboys with owner Jerry Jones when it was disclosed that Jones picked up the tab for that that and two other trips to games.
The Executive Protection Unit’s travel expenses totaled at least $959,856 for Christie’s first term in office and the beginning of his second term, records show, according to New Jersey Watchdog. The figure doesn’t account for unreleased expenses for the fourth quarter of 2014.
The figure also doesn’t include state troopers’ overtime or the cost of using State Police vehicles and helicopters to transport the governor.
According to the report, Christie spent all or part of 137 days out of state last year, with the bulk of the travel dedicated to his duties as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
State Police troopers are responsible for the governor’s safety at all times and follow him when he’s in the state or travels outside of it.