New Jersey governor Chris Christie's troubles pile up after bridge closure scandal Governor accused of misusing Sandy relief funds Calls for newly re-elected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to resign after accusations his office spent millions more than necessary on tourism ads featuring him. PT2M13S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-30rtd 620 349 January 14, 2014 - 11:08AM The New Jersey governor at the centre of allegations his office closed lanes on a commuter bridge to punish a political opponent faces new claims of bullying and an investigation into the alleged misuse of federal aid for Hurricane Sandy. According to the documents, obtained by the Wall Street Journal with a freedom of information request, Chris Christie's office had planned a series of meetings with staff the mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop, a Democrat. The meetings were to include commissioners or heads of six different state administration agencies, including transportation, economic development, the state treasurer and the commissioner of community affairs. The meetings were designed to help Mr Fulop's administration begin operations at the beginning of its term. But after Mr Fulop declined to endorse Mr Christie in his bid for re-election, all the meetings were cancelled in the space of an hour. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speaks on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. It was also revealed on Monday that federal authorities will investigate allegations that Mr Christie misdirected federal funds dedicated to his state for recovery from Hurricane Sandy to be used for a tourism advertising campaign featuring him and his family. Though Mr Christie's office received permission from federal authorities for the ad spending, it is now alleged that he chose a bid costing $US4.7 million ($5.2 million) over one that cost $US2.5 million, because the more expensive featured Mr Christie and his family. His critic's claim the ads, which appeared in the lead up to the state election, where thinly veiled campaign ads. Mr Christie's office denies any wrongdoing. "The Stronger Than The Storm [ad] campaign was just one part of the first action plan approved by the Obama Administration and developed with the goal of effectively communicating that the Jersey Shore was open for business during the first summer after Sandy," A spokesman, Colin Reed, said in a statement. We're confident that any review will show that the ads were a key part in helping New Jersey get back on its feet after being struck by the worst storm in state history. Federal authorities will investigate whether New Jersey governor Chris Christie misdirected federal funds dedicated to his state for recovery from Hurricane Sandy to be used for a tourism advertising campaign featuring him and his family. Mr Christie, considered a leading contender to be the Republican nominee at the 2016 presidential election, is fighting to save his reputation. Already revealed emails suggest that Mr Christie's deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, ordered lanes onto the world's busiest bridge closed in order to punish another Democratic mayor who refused to endorse Mr Christie in last year's state election. Last week Mr Christie fired Ms Kelly and said he had no knowledge of the order to close the bridge. Two of his political appointees to the Port Authority, that manages the George Washington Bridge, have already resigned and hired lawyers. One of them, David Wildstein has already declined to answer questions before a state government committee over the affair, placing himself in contempt. Though Mr Christie was cruising to an overwhelming victory it is thought he considered endorsements from Democrats crucial for a future presidential bid. So far the controversy has only had a slight impact on one of the most popular politicians in the country. A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll released on Monday has charted a six-point drop decline in Mr Christie's popularity to an enviable 59 per cent job approval rating. By comparison the Real Clear Politics poll average shows Congress has a job approval rating of 13.9 per cent and President Barack Obama has an approval rating of 42 per cent. But Mr Christie's political headaches are expected to get worse later this week as the New Jersey legislative assembly committee investigating the bridge closure prepares to issue more subpoenas to members of his administration.