Christie said Weinberg deserves a 'hypocrisy award' for criticizing him
State Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) at the Statehouse in this 2010 file photo. Gov. Chris Christie blasted Weinberg today for collecting both her pension and her salary.TRENTON — Sen. Loretta Weinberg today was on the receiving end of a trademark rant from Gov. Chris Christie, who blasted her comments in The Star-Ledger as hypocritical and said the press should attack her for simultaneously collecting her pension and her paycheck for the same job.
An article on April 3 quoted Weinberg as saying Christie has double standards when it comes to criticizing political allies. At that point, the governor hadn't publicly criticized Essex County Executive Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. for "retiring" last year to begin receiving his pension while keeping the same job. He's allowed to do that under a state law Christie wants changed.
The following day, Weinberg announced on the liberal blog BlueJersey.com that, like DiVincenzo, she was collecting a pension while keeping the same job.
Today, Christie said Weinberg deserves a "hypocrisy award" for criticizing him.
"She is the queen of double standards," Christie said. "No matter how long you've been around here, the hypocrisy meter has to tilt on her."
The Star-Ledger reported on April 5 that Weinberg began receiving her lawmaker's pension last year. Her annual pension is $40,746, and her salary is $49,000. She said she only filed her retirement papers because her life savings had been swallowed up in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
Christie said Weinberg was "hiding behind Bernie Madoff."
Weinberg did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"The senator does not wish to dignify that with a response," said Derek Roseman, spokesman for Senate Democrats.
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