Open Thread - Chris Christie [finally] testifies before Congress

crap - can't stream (0.00 / 0)

any updates on when he is going to testify?

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:24:59 PM UTC

not starting yet? (0.00 / 0)

We're hearing it hasn't actually started yet. Still trying to get the streaming to work.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:29:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

John Conyers now speaking (0.00 / 0)

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:52:09 PM UTC

crap - I keep losing the connection. Argggh. (0.00 / 0)

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:53:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Christie up next (0.00 / 0)

Conyers giving his relevant background. Thanking him for coming. And now Christie.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:58:38 PM UTC

Christie: (0.00 / 0)

DPAs utilized during my tenure, to achieve results of justice for the public.

Talks about dealing firmly with the companies involved.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 14:59:46 PM UTC

haha (0.00 / 0)

Christie: Zero taxpayer dollars spent on the DPA's - costs incurred only by the companies involved.

Yeah? Then who picks up the cost for why my Zimmer knee replacement has to absorb that multi-million dollar bonanza?

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:01:09 PM UTC

Christie (0.00 / 0)

Actual prosecution would have put these companies in peril.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:02:38 PM UTC

Monitors approved by the companies (0.00 / 0)

says Christie.

But hey, that's not the point, is it? The point Mr. Christie is to take the decision of who those monitors are out of only the hands of the prosecutor him/herself. To avoid payoffs to the old boy/old gal network of cronies.

I suspect the congressmen Pallone and Pascrell will address this when they step up to the plate.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:05:12 PM UTC

The system is not broken. (0.00 / 0)

Testimony now from - I believe - an assistant US Attorney.

Apologies - my connection is coming in and out.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:16:20 PM UTC

Conyers introducing University of Michigan (0.00 / 0)

faculty member.

Area of expertise includes corporate crime.

Applauds efforts at reform of DPA policies. Has additional suggestions:
1. Explicit discussion by DOJ of why a cash fine would not suffice and why a monit
2. Suggest judicial review of fees, competitive bidding, multiple flat fees based on what level of investment of time and expertise is needed
3. Expand the people considered as monitors to include others, including compliance experts
4. Use judicial oversight when the DPA is finalized
5. Disclosure of monitor's reports: Add public disclosures, with the power of the court to redact any sensitive information that could do harm.


It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:23:16 PM UTC

Christie being questioned (0.00 / 0)

How was Ashcroft picked? Was Ashcroft turned down by Zimmer?

Christie: No, Zimmer did not want somebody from a New York firm, they didn't want a northeastern firm. They wanted a lawyer with midwest sensibilities, Ashcroft is from the midwest.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:27:01 PM UTC

Italian slur??? (0.00 / 0)

So (given that no monitor you proposed was ever turned down) that means you made them an offer they could not refuse?

Christie - getting hot, and raising his voice, now accuses subcommittee chair Rep. Cohen of an Italian slur.

Really.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:28:53 PM UTC

Christie (0.00 / 0)

leaning forward, red in the face now.


It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:29:57 PM UTC

Rep. Cohen (0.00 / 0)

now asking about Bristol-Meyers-Squibb

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:31:05 PM UTC

Christie (0.00 / 0)

says he did not suggest that B-M-S endow a chair at a New Jersey Law School on ethics. Rutgers already had one (endowed by Prudential) , so they were going to go to Seton Hall Law.

Cohen says he had the duty to avoid the appearance of impropriety and he did not do so.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:34:06 PM UTC

The American Bar Association takes issue with Christie on this (0.00 / 0)

Christie has gotten considerable negative attention for directing funds to his alma mater Seton Hall Law.

There are only 2 law school in NJ. Rutgers is the other one. Bristol Myers was required by his office to endow the chair in an effort to "change the corporate culture," a description he's given before.

But ... this is why the Bristol Myers situation is one of two that came under fire at an American Bar Association symposium on white collar crime for  what was called excessive prosecutorial involvement in business operations. Read about that here, at Law.com, under Endowing Seton Hall.


It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:44:49 PM UTC

Video issues ... widespread? (0.00 / 0)

One of our readers just dropped us a note that lots of people are having trouble getting the stream reliably, and that their server must be getting hit hard.

Thanks, JM.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:52:57 PM UTC

Rep. William Delahunt (0.00 / 0)

says he had no idea until today that Christie was a candidate for governor.

Uhhhh.....

Thanks, JS, for emailing that one in, as I lose connection for the 40th time.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:55:20 PM UTC

$52 million (0.00 / 0)

Rep. Delahunt is questioning Christie on the choosing of Ashcroft. Asks him, doesn't he think $52 million is "a lot of money?"

Christie bristles at this. Says he doesn't know where Delahunt gets that figure, and the NYTimes said the Zimmer DPA fee structure - and payments to John Ashcroft - was fair.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 15:59:17 PM UTC

Delahunt says (0.00 / 0)

the appointment of the monitor in questions - Ashcroft - does not avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Christie is now trying to talk through Rep. Delahunt. What a bad, bad move.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:01:32 PM UTC

"Let's get Christie's man." (0.00 / 0)

Delahunt grilling Christie on the process of Zimmer's approving Ashcroft as the monitors in their case.

Suggesting Zimmer said "Let's get Christie's man" - effectively saying it looks like Zimmer may have agreed readily with what made the prosecutor happy, readily agreeing on Christie's friend Ashcroft getting the lucrative contract, so things would go easy on Zimmer. That being - at least - the appearance of impropriety, that should be avoided.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:07:06 PM UTC

Rep. Mel Watt (0.00 / 0)

I don't care much about Chris Christie or his political ambitions.

When I hear that somebody offered to do this job for $3 million and instead the job was given to somebody else for $52 million, that has the appearance of impropriety. And for the public, that is often more important.

Wants to focus on policy. And believes that - protestations of Christie's that no tax payer dollars went to the payment of his monitors, including Ashcroft for the Zimmer DPA - that costs like $52 million dollars are absolutely passed along to the public.


It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:16:01 PM UTC

Zimmer Lawyer complained of the exorbitant fees (0.00 / 0)

PNJ reports the lawyer for Zimmer Holdings - manufacturer of artificial joints, and the company whose DPA Christie is now being questioned about - is now complaining about the inflated fees charged by Christie's choice to monitor the Zimmer DPA.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:22:37 PM UTC

Go, Mel Watt! (0.00 / 0)

When we finally have a chance to watch this entire proceeding, and digest it, I think the questioning of Christie by Rep. Watt is going to provide some of the clearest indication of just where Christie has been wrong in the way he handled these remarkably lucrative payments, and who got to receive that bounty, and how they got so lucky.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:26:59 PM UTC

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) (0.00 / 0)

lobbing softballs to Christe about Ashcroft's stellar resume. Which absolutely is distinguished, though rather unrelated to the responsibilities of a DPA monitor.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:29:51 PM UTC

Rep. Sherman (0.00 / 0)

pokes holes in Christie's assertion that he saved the Zimmer company by allowing them to go the DPA route, thus saving artificial joints aplenty for the many who needed them.

Sherman points out that the business of supplying those medical devices would have gone to other companies not being run with the level of fraud that he found Zimmer did indeed have. And that his choices allowed for no protection of his (Sherman's) constituents from having to rely on a company he knew was being run fraudulently.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:33:51 PM UTC

Christie (0.00 / 0)

says none of the other monitors have provided him any assistance on his campaign with the exception of Herb Stern.

Says Ashcroft has not endorsed him or helped him in any way.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:35:25 PM UTC

Christie gets up to leave (0.00 / 0)

though clearly the subcommittee is not nearly done questioning him.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:36:40 PM UTC

Squirming, ready to bolt (0.00 / 0)

Christie wants to leave. Says he has a train to catch. It's pointed out that he's not going to make the 2pm train anyway, given that it's past 1:30.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 16:40:08 PM UTC

Christie Runs Away...... (0.00 / 0)

....he told the Democrat that was actually asking him some tough questions that he had to leave then and there, but as he was leaving, the next quetioner, a Repbublican took the time to ask Christie a softball and to allow Christie a chance to rebut and to have the last word...which Christie took afull advantage of.

Then the lie was put to Christie in that he would have already missed the next train to Jersey (it will be interesting to see if the media actually follows up to see if he caught the train he claimed he had to leave at 1:30 to catch.

I'll have more to say on thi sin a separate diary; but it's now even more clear than it EVER was that the whole process was flawed and, essentially, corrupt.

Christie took it to a new low level that offends the sensibilities of any reasonably objective observer.  

The corrupt crimiaiminal players in these corporations got away with murder.  Not one penny of their personal monies were paid out as compensation or penalty and not one of them spent a single day in any jail and NO criminal indictment was ever even issued!!!

Further. Christie stupidly BRAGGED that Ashcroft was on such good terms with the criminals (imho) he was supposed to be "monitoring" that they actually PAID him additional monies to "counsel" them about other areas in which they felt they might have been exposed to criminal prosecution.

Christie is indeed "tone deaf" to any sense of right and wrong.  If corrupt bum is ever elected governor you can rest assured that he will be little more than a corporate whore.

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by: Nick Lento @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 17:51:57 PM UTC

Drat. I lost the connection. n/t (0.00 / 0)

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 17:52:42 PM UTC

"I had a good impression of Mr. Christie." (4.00 / 1)

"Until today."

So says Rep. Steve Cohen, Chair of the Subcommittee - House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commericial and Administrative Law - that questioned Christie today.

Calls for more oversight.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:00:32 PM UTC

Delahunt (0.00 / 0)

asking the panel about the scenario involving Christie's brother, thought he is couching it in terms he says are not about any particular case that may exist.

He does not accept the answer that an ethics advisor should be consulted. Wants to know what happens if there is no time to do so?

Clearly the case involving Christie's brother is under his skin, in terms of the "appearance of impropriety" arguments he has been making since testimony began.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:10:48 PM UTC

Rep. Pascrell testifies (0.00 / 0)

DPA's have become part of the Justice system, these argreements more related to the kind of corporate malfeasance that have cost millions of Americans their jobs.

Corporate greed. Government has largely stood aside, let it happen. And the Sentinels - the US Attorneys - have been handmaidens (to allowing this to continue).

These corporate criminals have never had to admit guilt to the American public. And thanks to Mr. Christie, they never will.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:14:50 PM UTC

Pascrell (0.00 / 0)

holds up a document - 200 pages and he says he read every one of them - that contains a billing statement that leaves much transparency to be desired.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:18:12 PM UTC

Rep. Pallone (0.00 / 0)

Says he and Pascrell went to a full day symposium devoted to DPA's, at NYU Law School.

Pallone wants it clear that Christie was the poster child - discussed at this symposium - of everything to avoid, everything that went wrong.

Pallone: You must step in and pass some kind of legislation here. There are so many unanswered questions. Among them (most of which he clearly wants Christie to answer):
- How much was Ashcroft paid?
- Why did you fail to disclose how much Ashcroft was paid?
- What Objective criteria did you use in choosing Ashcroft and other monitors?
- What kind of due diligence did you do, to avoid conflict of interest in who you chose?
- Why do you believe there has been no conflict of interest here?
- Are you going to return the campaign contributions for your Governor's campaign, from Mr. Inglesino, and Mr. Stern?

He continues:
At NYU that day there were many US Attorneys there who didn't give the money to their own alma mater, did not give contracts to friends, used a transparent process, instead of hiring friends hired from a list of known experts. They did it right.

Pallone asks the subcommittee to seriously consider the legislation that he and Pascrell have put forth. That legislation is designed for maximum transparency.

Rep. Pascrell adds: We (Pascrell and Pallone) set out on this having nothing to do with politics. This is about transparency. That's what we want. This system is not working. You make the judgement. You look at the materials.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:42:18 PM UTC

Pascrell Kicks Christie's Ass.....And (4.00 / 1)

....more importantly, make the point that he and Pallonewere onto this issue 18 moths ago, long before Christie won his primary.

Pascrell passionately made the point that the "collateral damage" of the whole financial meltdown and of AIG in particular was thematically related to the essentially corrupt way that corporations have of getting away with murder when it comes to being held accountable for their conduct.

Pallone came on and read from his testimony in the few minutes they had left.   Each was prepared to fully defend the bill they have proposed.

What's needed is a full day of hearings in which Pallone, Pascrell and a full panel of consumer/citizen advocates can testify in FAVOR of the bill.

What we had today was a panel of apologists for the evil and corrupt status quo.  Yes I said EVIL.

People actually suffer and die because of corporate corruption.  It's not just about the money.   These matters impact on the lives of many millions of Americans who are NOT filthy rich and who suffer serious consequences on their lives and livlihoods.

Christie and Bush were/are on the side of corporate cleptocracy....at least with guys like Pascrell Pallone and Corzine...we have a CHANCE that some measure of justice may prevail now and then.

I hope that the video of this hearing id put up somewhere in full.   (I tried shooting some of it with my hand held camera off the computer screen.....the stream was lousy and out of synch.  You would think Congress could do better than use crummy streaming tech.)

If Corzine's campaign can't make political hay out of these sets of serious and dramatic issues and the implications thereof.....it's all over....and if they have the guts to actually make some strong ads that expose Christie for what he is re these issue; then Christie's goose is incinerated.

The question (imho) is will Corzine have the guts to boldly and courageously adopt the same intense passionate and objectively righteous populist tone (on this) as did Pascrell in his few minutes of testimony here?

Christie is walking disaster waiting to happen for the state of New Jersey....and he needs to be put under very very very bright lights, lest we go from the national frying pan that we're in into the fires of a Christie hell in New Jersey.

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by: Nick Lento @ Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 18:48:09 PM UTC