Records: Taxpayers paid $18,000 for Gov. Murphy staffers' India trip

Records obtained by The Associated Press indicate New Jersey taxpayers were billed about $18,000 for government officials' recent trip to India despite Gov. Phil Murphy's office's earlier statements that a privately funded group would pay for the visit.

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2019, 10:23 AM

Updated 1,671 days ago

Share:

Records obtained by The Associated Press indicate New Jersey taxpayers were billed about $18,000 for government officials' recent trip to India despite Gov. Phil Murphy's office's earlier statements that a privately funded group would pay for the visit.
The Associated Press Tuesday received payment vouchers indicating taxpayers footed the bill for four of the governor's staffers for airfare to India and lodging as well as the immunization costs.
Choose New Jersey, a private-industry funded group, financed other portions of September's six-day visit.
The group's president, Jose Lozano, says Choose paid for meals, travel within India and other "incidentals," but declined to give a total.
Murphy spokesman Mahen Gunaratna says the "vast majority of expenses" were covered by Choose, not taxpayers.
He says the mission will "ultimately pay dividends."
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.


More from News 12
2:20
State DEC: 6 more concrete blocks, some containing chemical drums, found buried at Bethpage Community Park

State DEC: 6 more concrete blocks, some containing chemical drums, found buried at Bethpage Community Park

2:07
Mostly sunny Tuesday on Long Island with highs near 67

Mostly sunny Tuesday on Long Island with highs near 67

0:22
Police: 4 hospitalized after SUV crashes into store in West Babylon

Police: 4 hospitalized after SUV crashes into store in West Babylon

0:23
Police: Illegal gun seized minutes after shooting in Freeport

Police: Illegal gun seized minutes after shooting in Freeport

2:50
A grave mistake - Stranger buried in Suffolk man's family plot exposes lack of burial society regulation

A grave mistake - Stranger buried in Suffolk man's family plot exposes lack of burial society regulation

0:27
Suffolk police: 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in Commack crash

Suffolk police: 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in Commack crash

1:39
Long Island inmate advocates rally in Albany for sentencing reform, other bills

Long Island inmate advocates rally in Albany for sentencing reform, other bills

1:40
Public hearing held on proposal to build hotel in Patchogue village

Public hearing held on proposal to build hotel in Patchogue village

1:44
Officials: Advanced oxidation system being installed in Hicksville to remove 'forever chemicals'

Officials: Advanced oxidation system being installed in Hicksville to remove 'forever chemicals'

0:27
Police: 1 man arrested, 1 injured following stabbing in Huntington Station

Police: 1 man arrested, 1 injured following stabbing in Huntington Station

0:24
Man saves service dog from Oyster Bay waters, is then rescued by police

Man saves service dog from Oyster Bay waters, is then rescued by police

0:16
Man wanted for pushing 79-year-old in Commack

Man wanted for pushing 79-year-old in Commack

1:45
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Lindenhurst

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Lindenhurst

1:30
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Little Shelter of Long Island on May 13

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Little Shelter of Long Island on May 13

0:53
Suffolk police: 4 arrested at county shops selling illegal vapes

Suffolk police: 4 arrested at county shops selling illegal vapes

1:53
‘A beautiful gift.’ Massapequa Park daughter donates kidney to ailing mother

‘A beautiful gift.’ Massapequa Park daughter donates kidney to ailing mother

0:28
Steve Buscemi punched in the face in NYC, actor's publicist says

Steve Buscemi punched in the face in NYC, actor's publicist says

0:30
Police: 77-year-old woman dies after being struck by 2 cars in Freeport

Police: 77-year-old woman dies after being struck by 2 cars in Freeport

0:51
Officials: 3 people hospitalized following Manorhaven house fire

Officials: 3 people hospitalized following Manorhaven house fire

0:30
Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4