For Immediate Release
June 10, 2014

Contact: Travis Shofner
Phone: 617.939.0800

NATIONAL ETHICS WATCHDOG GROUP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF REPUBLICAN CHARLES BAKER'S CHRIS CHRISTIE PENSION ISSUE

Release of Employment Contract Now needed to Answer Lingering Questions About Republican Baker’s Role in Alleged Pay-to-Play Scandal Involving Embattled Chris Christie

BOSTON – While Republican Charlie Baker refuses to answer lingering questions about his role in an alleged pay-to-play scheme involving embattled New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released a 123-page letter to the SEC and New Jersey Attorney General calling for formal federal and state investigations.

“Pay-to-play rules are intended to ensure contracts to manage pension funds are awarded on the basis of merit, not political contributions,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “The people of New Jersey and Massachusetts deserve to learn whether Mr. Baker violated pay-to-play laws and whether the contribution played a role in General Catalyst’s securing the $15 million investment.”

Many questions still remain unanswered since PandoDaily.com first broke the news about Republican Baker’s potential pay-to-play violations six weeks ago. The New Jersey Investment Council has already launched its own investigation.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party again called on Republican Charlie Baker to answer lingering questions by releasing his employment contract.

“CREW’s recommendation for the SEC and the NJ Attorney General to formally investigate the pay-to-play controversy swirling around Republican Charlie Baker is a significant development,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Tom McGee. “Voters deserve to know the truth about Republican Baker’s role in this ongoing controversy and an investigation is the best way for the public to see all the facts.”

According to its website, CREW is a “non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.”

CREW Letter to SEC
CREW Letter to NJ AG

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