Chris Christie's Brother Could Be Political Liability in New Jersey

Todd Christie, brother of New Jersey's newly elected governor, Chris Christie, made $60 million when Goldman Sachs bought his stock firm, and was then implicated in a federal fraud investigation, the New York Times reports. Christie emerged without damage to his reputation to found a new company and a private charity. But he has taken a high-profile role in planning his brother's inauguration ceremony, and, if he sticks close to the governor's office afterward, could be seen as a political liability.

Todd Christie has been accused of "buying" political office for his older brother. He gave tens of thousands of dollars to the New Jersey's Republican county chairmen just before they recommended Chris Christie to be the federal attorney for the state. After the Bush administration appointed him, Todd Christie wrote a $225,000 check to the Republican National Committee.

He was also active in his brother's campaign for governor last year, donating to the Republican Governors' Association, which paid for ads attacking Christie's opponent, Gov. Jon Corzine. He served as Chris's adviser and fundraiser, and engaged in a high-profile Facebook dispute with a rival Republican consultant.

"Both Christies need to step very carefully," said Brigid C. Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. "With the political climate, the public concerns about the financial services industry and Chris's reputation as someone who fights corruption, if there's even the insinuation that Todd was receiving information from inside the government that benefited his business, it would be very damaging to the new governor."