A longtime adviser to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) conducted a 2012 poll on behalf of a development firm at the center of one of the scandals that has recently rocked the governor’s administration, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Michael DuHaime conducted the poll to examine how a proposed development that would be built on land owned by the Rockefeller Group was viewed by supporters of Hoboken, N.J. Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Earlier this month, Zimmer alleged members of Christie’s administration threatened to withhold hurricane relief money unless she approved the development, which would be located in the city’s north end.
DuHaime isn’t the only Christie associate linked to Rockefeller Group’s Hoboken project. The company is represented by a law firm founded by Christie ally David Samson. Rockefeller Group Executive Vice President Leslie “Les” Smith and Christie both have deep ties to a nonprofit substance abuse treatment and education program in Jersey and have chaired events for the group together.
