chris-christie.jpg

Gov. Chris Christie leaves a meeting with Sandy-impacted homeowners in Keansburg earlier this month.

(Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

It is difficult to understand how some individuals still maintain their support for Gov. Chris Christie. He has long had a reputation as a bully and a micro-manager. For a person such as Christie to assert that he did not know what his inner circle was doing is nothing more than a desperate attempt to save his political skin.



At meetings conducted by the state treasurer, which the Director of Taxation and I attended, it became apparent that no significant tax decision was made without the governor's office determining how it would make him look politically. The director actually stated to me on one occasion that this was the case. To think that this governor was unaware of these matters is absurd.

From personal experience as a division chief, I can attest to the atmosphere of bullying and threatening behavior that has permeated to the lower levels of state government. In spite of 40 years of honorable service, I was threatened with unnamed charges and pension consequences if I did not immediately retire. As I had planned on retiring within a year, I acquiesced. Had I determined to pursue the matter, I have no doubt that I would have prevailed.

Fred Wagner, Trenton

FOLLOW STAR-LEDGER OPINION: TWITTER • FACEBOOK