Christie-Trump Casino Tax Settlement Draws Scrutiny

A top New Jersey lawmaker is pressing Gov. Chris Christie to release details on a controversial 2011 tax settlement agreement forged between the Republican governor and Atlantic City casinos previously owned by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck,  sent a public record request to the Christie Administration this week seeking documents related to the agreement reached with Trump's casinos for back taxes owed to the state. The state senator's action followed a New York Times report revealing that the Christie Administration settled with Trump Casinos for pennies on the dollar of the amount owed.  The settlement allowed Trump to pay the state $5 million of the $30 million his casinos owed in taxes, fees and interest.

"New Jersey residents deserve to know why the company chaired by Donald Trump until 2009, and that he remained financially tied to for several years, was given a large discount on the taxes owed, and what discussions took place between the administration and the company leading up to that agreement," said Weinberg in a statement. "We are asking the administration to provide documentation that we hope will shed light on the deal for New Jerseyans."

Weinberg's record request seeks settlement documents regarding tax liabilities at Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza Hotel and Trump Marina Hotel owed between 2002 and 2006. The increased focus on Trump's taxes paid to New Jersey arrives at a time when the state has the second worst credit rating in the U.S., with nine downgrades since Christie took office in 2010 due largely to structurally unbalanced budgets and a rising unfunded pension liability burden. The Garden State is rated A2 by Moody's Investors Service and A by Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

The press office for Governor Christie didn't respond for comment on Weinberg's request, which was submitted to the Office of the Governor along with the offices for the Department of Treasury and State Attorney General. Trump, the Republican candidate for U.S. president against Democrat Hillary Clinton, was endorsed by Christie in the spring after the governor fell short  in the primary campaign. Trump's press office also didn't respond to a request for comment.