In New Jersey, Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie received an uncomfortable dinner invitation. Former Passaic County Republican Chairman Peter Murphy hosted a Republican gathering Christie was invited to attend. It just so happens that in 2003 Christie prosecuted Murphy on corruption charges.
Christie turned down the invitation. Two of his opponents did attend. The dinner was well attended by other prominent Republicans.
Politicker New Jersey recapped the events from 2003.
Seven months before Christie became U.S. Attorney, Murphy was convicted for his role in helping a company obtain a medical services contract for the county jail with the understanding that proceeds of the contract would go to a four politically active individuals he selected. He was sentenced to 43 months in prison and served nearly a year before the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered his release while they considered his appeal. The Third Circuit overturned his conviction in May 2003.
Just before his new trial was to begin, Murphy pleaded guilty…to mail fraud and was sentenced to eleven-and-a-half months in prison — the time he had already served.
“We are pleased with the end result here — that Mr. Murphy served a considerable amount of time in prison for crimes which he has finally acknowledged committing as Republican party chairman in Passaic County,” Christie said in a November 7, 2003 statement. “For those crimes, Mr. Murphy has lost his prestige and power, nearly a year of freedom and now is a convicted felon.”
That might have made for some uncomfortable dinner conversation.
