CORZINE TAPS BOXER FOR COMPTROLLER POST

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that he would nominate Matthew Boxer as the state’s first independent comptroller. Boxer, a former federal prosecutor, is currently the Director of the Governor’s Authorities Unit.

“Matt Boxer has a sterling reputation and a demonstrated commitment to public service and integrity in government,” Governor Corzine said. “The people of New Jersey expect and deserve to know that their money is being spent wisely and appropriately, and having an individual of Matt’s caliber providing independent oversight should give them confidence that their government is operating in their interest.”

Governor Corzine selected Boxer to head the Governor’s Authorities Unit when he took office in January 2006. In that capacity, Boxer has provided counsel to the Governor regarding 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 am honored and humbled that Governor Corzine has nominated me,” Boxer said. “The creation of the independent comptroller is designed to ensure government is operating transparently and protecting the taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. That is a commitment I share and, if I am confirmed by the State Senate, one I will work day in and day out to fulfill.”

Governor Corzine signed the legislation creating the independent Office of the Comptroller in March of this 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/