TRENTON -- The law firm of Gov. Chris Christie ally and former U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa billed taxpayers nearly $3 million through July for its work overseeing the state takeover of Atlantic City, according to a report by Observer New Jersey.
Christie hired Chiesa, his former state attorney general, in November to run the takeover, in which the state seized control of large parts of the city's government to prevent the seaside gambling resort from going bankrupt.
Chiesa's entire firm -- Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi -- is being utilized in the takeover. It has billed the state more than $1.8 million since May 10, according to invoices Observer obtained through an open public records request. The firm had previously billed the state $1.1 million.
Chiesa bills the state $400 an hour for his work on the takeover, while partners at the firm charge $350 an hour, associates $240 an hour, and paralegals $90 an hour.
Christie sought the takeover after the city saw its tax base plummet in the wake of a rash of casino closures. The city faced more than $500 million in debt.
Local leaders and some state lawmakers vehemently opposed the plan, saying it would strip city officials of their power and residents of their civil rights.
But Christie has touted the takeover's success in recent months, saying it helped lead Hard Rock International to hatch plans to open a new casino there and noting that his administration has settled the city's crushing casino tax appeals, among other developments.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.