Christie lashes out at Dems seeking U.S. review of N.J. lottery contract

    Gov. Chris Christie is defending his administration’s plans to outsource the management and marketing of the New Jersey Lottery.

    He reiterated his support for the plan Thursday in light of a request from six Democratic congressmen from New Jersey who have asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to review the contract.

    The federal legislators say they’re concerned the $120 million upfront payment from a joint venture called North Star New Jersey may create an appearance of corruption. North Star was the sole bidder for the contract.

    Christie characterized the Democrats’ challenge as a political “hit piece.”

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    “I’m disappointed in them, that given the spirit of bipartisanship that I’ve dealt with them on all subjects since October of 2012, that they would engage in that type of naked partisanship,” Christie said Thursday during an appearance in Long Branch.

    Christie, who says outsourcing those lottery functions is good for the state, said he can terminate the 15-year contract if the North Star venture does not reach its goals for increasing lottery revenue.

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