Chiesa Tapped To Oversee NJ Takeover Of Atlantic City
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS)--A familiar face from the Christie Administration will be in charge of overseeing Atlantic City's finances under a state takeover approved last week.
If the name Jeff Chiesa sounds familiar, it should. He was Governor Chris Christie's chief counsel before becoming Attorney General 5 years ago. Christie later tapped him as interim United States Senator upon the death of Frank Lautenberg. For the last 3 years, Chiesa has been in private law practice.
Chiesa will now oversee the city's operations for up to 5 years, under the state takeover law. A press release from the Department of Community Affairs says Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and City Council will handle day to day municipal functions while Chiesa implements the fiscal recovery plan which is still in development.
Chiesa is not available for comment, but in that press release he is quoted as saying he "will listen to the people and work hand in hand with local stakeholders to create solutions that will prevent waste and relieve generations of taxpayers from the burden of long term debt . We will put Atlantic City back on a path to fiscal stability."
Guardian did not return a call seeking comment on Chiesa's appointment.
