The Corzine Gifts

Jon Corzine gave cash gifts totaling $100,000 to nine members of his campaign and Senate staff late last year. The gifts were given in appreciation to those top aids that helped him win his bid to become Governor of New Jersey. Each gift was less than $11,000 and therefore, neither the recipients nor Corzine were obligated to pay taxes. All the lucky staffers now work in the governor's office.

So why is this being reported in the media as if there is something wrong or improper with the then Governor-elect’s gesture of appreciation? This is nothing like the $500,000, plus taxes gift Corzine gave to Carla Katz. Katz is head of the state’s largest public employee’s union and Corzine failed to report the loan, turned gift, on his Senate financial disclosure forms. That little transaction should have and did raise more than a few eyebrows.

But this? Where’s the conflict or problem to be found with Corzine’s cash gifts to valued staffers? Apparently, people are upset because the gifts were not subject to taxes. Hey, where’s our cut seems to be the unspoken theme of the reports. What’s forgotten is that Corzine already paid taxes on the money when he earned it. Shouldn’t that be enough? We think so.

How Corzine legally chooses to spend his money is his business, providing there’s no ethical conflict. There’s nothing illegal or unethical about the gifts, so enough already. Our concerns are with what Corzine proposes to do with our money - taxpayer dollars. Let’s keep the focus where it belongs and not get sidetracked into making mountains out of molehills. This situation isn’t even a molehill.