BOXER TAKES OATH OF OFFICE AS STATE'S FIRST INDEPENDENT COMPTROLLER

TRENTON - Matthew Boxer today took the oath of office to become the state's first independent comptroller, a key component in Governor Jon S. Corzine's ongoing efforts to restructure New Jersey's finances.

"The Comptroller will serve a crucial function in New Jersey government from this day forward," said Governor Corzine. "He will ensure accountability among all officeholders in this state by examining contracting and spending practices at all levels. And emphatically, the people of New Jersey know we need a watchdog."

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner administered the oath in the Governor's outer office in the Statehouse. Boxer, a former federal prosecutor, was most recently director of the Governor’s Authorities Unit.

"When we designed the vital new position of comptroller, we did it with someone like Matt in mind," Governor Corzine said. "Someone tough, someone smart, someone experienced, and someone of character and integrity."

Governor Corzine selected Boxer to head the Governor's Authorities Unit when he took office in January 2006. In that capacity, Boxer helped the Governor monitor the actions of the 57 independent state authorities. He also helped develop Executive Order 37, signed by the Governor in September 2006, which brought unprecedented transparency to the authorities' operations and procurement practices.

Prior to joining the Corzine Administration, Boxer served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, overseeing public corruption investigations and prosecutions. He managed the investigation into the "Monmouth 11" in 2004 and 2005 and prosecuted the resulting cases. Boxer graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Princeton University and holds a J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law. He currently resides in Bridgewater.

"I know the creation of this office has been of vital importance to Gov. Corzine from day one of his administration," Boxer said. "I am honored and humbled by the responsibility placed upon me. The task ahead is no doubt a challenging one, but I look forward to tackling it with all of the determination and vigilance the people of New Jersey deserve."

Governor Corzine signed the legislation creating the independent Office of the Comptroller in March of last year. The mandate of the office includes monitoring the contracting procedures used by state and local governments, reviewing the performance of government programs, and conducting and overseeing financial audits of government entities.

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Photos and audio and video clips from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/