Key facts
- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill retained former Attorney General Christopher Porrino's law group on May 21 for an investigation into Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.
- The investigation has incurred nearly $50,000 in taxpayer expenses by the end of June.
- Oliver has denied the allegations of misconduct.
- Republicans have questioned Sherrill's decision to allow Oliver to serve as acting governor during the investigation.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is facing scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans regarding her administration's handling of an internal investigation into Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. The law group of former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino was retained on May 21 at $450 an hour, and by the end of June, nearly $50,000 in taxpayer funds had been billed for the probe. Oliver has denied the allegations of misconduct. While the investigation's report is not yet expected, Oliver has not acted as governor since the news broke. New Jersey Democrats have expressed confusion over the administration's lack of transparency, while Republicans have questioned Sherrill's decision to allow Oliver to serve as acting governor for 18 days during the investigation. GOP Chair Christine Hanlon stated that Sherrill had "truly abandoned her promise of transparency and accountability" by handing over powers to someone under review. A spokesperson for Sherrill, Sean Higgins, pushed back on the GOP's criticism, calling it hypocritical.