US News

Christie critic using taxpayer money for own self-promotion

A Jersey Shore pol who has slammed Gov. Chris Christie for using Hurricane Sandy funds for the “Stronger than the Storm” campaign has spent at least $1.5 million in taxpayer dollars on his own self-promotion, government records show.

Democratic US Rep. Frank Pallone has spent thousands of dollars every election year for the past 20 years on franked mailings — taxpayer-funded mailers and brochures that members of Congress send to their constituents promoting themselves.

His spending on mailings during election seasons amounted to more than $60,000 in the 2002 season, $84,000 in 2004, $67,000 in 2006, $33,000 in 2010 and $35,000 in 2012.

Pallone has accused the governor of improperly using relief dollars by including himself and his family in the tourism advertisements about rebuilding the battered shoreline during an election year.

“The bottom line is that Pallone’s criticisms are the definition of hypocrisy,” said a source close to the matter.