Two state Republican leaders are calling on Gov. Jon Corzine to release contributions made by his charitable foundation. PolitickerNJ.com reported on Saturday that Corzine has sought an extension to file his tax returns for the Jon S. Corzine Foundation.
Corzine has faced similar criticisms in past campaigns. During his 2000 U.S. Senate race, Corzine avoided questions about his foundation until political pressure forced him to reveal his contributions. The foundation had donated more than $250,000 to future supporters, including Rev. Reginald Jackson's church, Stephen Adubato's North Ward Cultural Center, Rev. Jesse Jackson's Operation Rainbow/PUSH, and Planned Parenthood. All helped him secure the Democratic nomination in a heated primary with former Gov. Jim Florio.
"Once again, Governor Corzine chooses to hide the ball from the voters. Before they go to the polls, the people have a right to know about where Jon Corzine spreads his millions around the State," said Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains), the Republican State Chairman. "For years, he has used his foundation money to buy political chits. Now, before his biggest election, the people deserve the opportunity to see where he's putting his money, and whether he is trying to ‘make problems disappear' and ‘win friends during his election campaign.' Unfortunately, transparency is not a hallmark of the Corzine Administration, and this concealment of his foundation's records is just another example of the Governor's failure to meet his obligations to the people."
Tags: Assemblyman, Charitable Foundation, Chits, Democratic Nomination, Foundation Money, Gop Demands, Gov Jon Corzine, Jay Webber, Jim Florio, Jon Corzine, New Jersey Politics, Operation Rainbow, Planned Parenthood, R Morris, Rainbow Push, Republican State, Rev Jesse Jackson, Senate Race, State Chairman, State Republican Leaders, U S Senate