Marc Ferzan

Marc-Philip Ferzan is an attorney who was director of the Governor's Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, and called the "Storm Czar", from November 2012 to July 2014. The position was created by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 to coordinate relief and recovery efforts in face of the effects of the storm on the state. After resigning he became lecturer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Background

Ferzan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989 from Rutgers University and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1992. He held several positions at the Office of United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, including Chief of the Commercial Crimes Unit, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Acting Deputy and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney.[1] Ferzan was Managing Director at Pricewaterhouse Coopers Advisory, working in the firm's investigative consulting practice. From January 2010-June 2012, he served at the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General as Executive Assistant Attorney General.[2]

"Storm czar"

On Monday, October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused unprecedented damage to New Jersey’s housing, business, infrastructure, health, social service and environmental sectors. Ferzan was appointed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on November 28, 2012 to coordinate recovery efforts, a role dubbed "storm czar", and charged with overseeing billions of dollars of relief aid[2][3][4] in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the lead agency for distributing the funding.

Ferzan announced the release of Sandy recovery funding in phases, first in April 2013 and then in February 2014.[5][6][7]

Ferzan was responsible for creating numerous relief programs. The Star-Ledger characterized Ferzan's one and half year term as "tumultuous" and he himself as being too low-profile.[8] The newspaper and the Press of Atlantic City criticized Ferzan for his lack of attendance at New Jersey Legislative meetings convened regarding Sandy recovery.[9] When questioned about the state's decision-making process, Ferzan said officials were trying to balance transparency and not giving out "too much information."[10]

Initially, disparities in distribution of housing construction funds for affordable housing came under scrutiny when it was revealed that areas least impacted by hurricane were receiving funds in greater proportion than heavily hit areas with the suggestion that towns with mayors friendly to Christie were favored.[11][12] Ferzan said it was “unfathomable” that disaster aid programs could be used for political gain and that "politics has played absolutely no role in disaster recovery.”[13]

In 2013, the state engaged Hammerman & Gainer Inc. (HGI) to administer the federally funded, $1.2 billion Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) program, which gives grants of up to $150,000 to homeowners to repair and rebuild homes damaged by Sandy. HGI's $68 million bid was $127 million lower than Tetra Tech, the only other bidder.[14][15] The $68 million contract was originally meant to run from 2013 to 2016,[16] but December 2013 was revised to end in January 2014 by mutual agreement.[17][18][19] The RREM program was beset by problems, leading to complaints from some applicants and Democratic lawmakers.[20] Severance from HGI's was due "performance problems" despite several months of "corrective action".[21] HGI's bills totaled $51 million.[19] It was paid $36 million,[22] and $21 million currently the subject of an arbitration dispute.[23][24][25] Ferzan said “services for HGI specifically were not needed.”[13][26]

On January 18, 2014, on Up with Steve Kornacki cable program,[27] Zimmer said that Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Rich Constable had, on two separate occasions in May 2013, pressured her to support a Rockefeller Group development project in Hoboken's North End in exchange for the city receiving additional federal Sandy relief aid.[28] On January 20, appearing on a CNN cable program, Zimmer stated that a month earlier, Marc Ferzan, Director of the Governor's Office of Recovery and Rebuilding had also pressured her to support more development in exchange for federal Sandy recovery funds.[29] Following her television appearances, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey met with Zimmer and reviewed and took as evidence a notebook journal in which she had written about the meetings.[30] They also interviewed two of her aides and five other potential witnesses. Zimmer stated: “As their investigation proceeds, they have asked me to refrain from giving any additional interviews and I am respecting their request.”[31][32][33][34][35][36] The Christie administration officials categorically denied the allegations,[37][38][39] a spokesman saying "It is very clear partisan politics are at play here as Democratic mayors with a political axe to grind come out of the woodwork and try to get their faces on television." [40][41][42][43] Zimmer said she had not come forward until after the so-called Bridgegate scandal (which had broke 10 days earlier) because she thought her claims would be not taken seriously.[44] On January 31, the city acknowledged that it had received subpoenas from the US Attorney.[45][46]

An internal investigative was commissioned by the Christie administration and conducted by Randy Mastro of law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. Zimmer declined to participate. A report released in March 2014 said that Mayor Zimmer's allegations were, "in material respects, demonstrably false."[47] and "whether intentional or not, it appears that Mayor Zimmer's subjective perception of events she has described do not reflect objective reality."[48] Zimmer dismissed the report as "sadly predictable" and said she was still willing to repeat her allegations under oath, stating, "Randy Mastro could have written his report the day he was hired and saved the taxpayers the million dollars in fees."[49][50] In editorials, the The Star-Ledger and The New York Times labeled the report a "whitewash".[51][52] as did 56% of New Jersey voters in an April 2014 survey by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.[53]

Ferzan resigned July 8, 2014 and was replaced by taken by Terry Brody.[4] He took up position as lecturer at Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.[1]

Personal

Ferzan is married to Kimberly Ferzan, a lawyer who has taught at Rutgers University and is also a professor at University of Virginia. Prior to relocating they lived in Lawrenceville.[54]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Marc-Phillip Ferzan". Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy University of Virginia. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  2. 1 2 "Governor Chris Christie Names Former Executive Assistant Attorney General Marc Ferzan to Manage Hurricane Sandy Storm Recovery Wednesday," (Press release). New Jersey Governor's Office. November 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  3. ↑ Spoto, MaryAnn (November 28, 2012). "Christie says N.J. storm damage jumps to $36.8B, taps former associate to lead Sandy recovery effort". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  4. 1 2 Friedman, Matt (July 8, 2014). "Christie Hurricane Sandy 'storm czar' Marc Ferzan to resign". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  5. ↑ SCOTT GURIAN & TRACEY SAMUELSON (February 3, 2014). "NEW JERSEY RELEASES PLAN FOR NEXT WAVE OF FEDERAL SANDY RELIEF FUNDS". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  6. ↑ Haddon, Heather (February 3, 2014). "Christie Administration Releases Sandy Aid Plan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  7. ↑ Linhorst, Michael (February 4, 2014). "NJ ad campaign to drop 'Stronger than the storm" slogan that cites Sandy". The Record. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  8. ↑ Editorial Board (July 9, 2014). "Christie Hurricane Sandy czar Marc Ferzan was a mystery man". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  9. ↑ Weaver, Donna (October 28, 2013). "Sandy recovery 'czar' Marc Ferzan maintaining low profile". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  10. ↑ Solomon, Nancy (February 3, 2014). "NJ Storm Czar: Transparency, Yes, but not "Too Much Information"". WNYC. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  11. ↑ Strunsky, Steve (February 16, 2014). "Sandy housing aid went to projects far from storm". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  12. ↑ Haddon, Heather (February 11, 2014). "New Jersey Sandy Aid Distribution Questioned Money Goes to Projects Outside the Hardest-Hit Areas". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  13. 1 2 O'Neill, Erin (February 3, 2014). "Chris Christie's Sandy 'czar' says politics played no role in recovery efforts". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  14. ↑ Haddon, Heather (Sep 22, 2013). "Sandy Contractor Draws Fire in Home-Reconstruction Effort HGI Also Faced Criticism for Its Katrina Work". The Wall Street Joutnal. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  15. ↑ Jordan, Bob (February 25, 2014). "NJ may face legal action from fired Sandy contractor". The Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  16. ↑ "A83958 Hammerman and Gainer" (PDF). State of New Jersey Procurement Bureau. May 8, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  17. ↑ Katz, Matt (January 23, 2014). "Christie's Biggest Sandy Contractor Fired Homeowners, Legislators Had Bitter Complaints About Firm". WNYC. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  18. ↑ Hanna, Maddie (January 26, 2014). "N.J. terminates Sandy recovery contractor". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  19. 1 2 O'Neill, Erin (February 26, 2014). "Housing recovery firm billed NJ $51M for less than 8 months of Sandy work". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  20. ↑ Haddon, Heather (September 22, 2013). "Sandy Contractor Draws Fire in Home-Reconstruction Effort HGI Also Faced Criticism for Its Katrina Work". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  21. ↑ N.J. Official: Sandy Contractor Ousted Over Performance. Insurancejournal.com.
  22. ↑ Delli, Angela (April 7, 2014). "NJ paid fired Sandy contractor $36M". Business Week. Retrieved 2014-07-20. Because the severance is being negotiated, and could wind up in litigation, Constable declined to discuss details of the contract termination. But he did say the decision to end the agreement was mutual and followed months of attempts at corrective action
  23. ↑ Tanfani, Jpseph (June 21, 2014). "Since Sandy, a storm pattern of costly stumbles in New Jersey". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  24. ↑ Alpert, Bruce (June 16, 2014). "New Orleans-based Hammerman & Gainer in fight with Chris Christie administration". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  25. ↑ Sudol, Karen (April 7, 2014). "N.J. officials defend Sandy aid distribution, say problems have been fixed". The Record. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  26. ↑ Haddon, Heather (February 3, 2014). "Christie Administration Releases Sandy Aid Plan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  27. ↑ Kornacki, Steve (January 19, 2014). "Governor Chris Christie responds". Up. MSNBC.
  28. ↑ Friedman, Matt (January 18, 2014). "Hoboken mayor claims Christie administration held city's Sandy recovery funds 'hostage' to help developer". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  29. ↑ Isherwood, Daryl (January 20, 2014). "Zimmer adds Sandy recovery czar to list of people she says pressured her on development project". The Star-Ledger.
  30. ↑ Baxter, Christopher (January 21, 2014). "Experts: Enough evidence to pursue Hoboken mayor's claims against Christie administration". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  31. ↑ Terkel, Amanda (January 23, 2014). "FBI Questioning Witnesses Over Claims Chris Christie Threatened To Withhold Sandy Relief: Report". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  32. ↑ Conte, Michaelangelo (January 22, 2014). "Zimmer declines to speak with Hoboken City Council about Sandy funding allegations". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  33. ↑ "FBI interviews Hoboken officials about Sandy aid allegations, report says". The Asbury Park Press. January 24, 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  34. ↑ Thorbourne, Ken (February 11, 2014). "Eye of the storm: Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer -- an 'accidental politician' -- has survived wave after wave of controversy". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  35. ↑ Gonzalez, Sarah (January 23, 2014). "FBI Investigates Allegations Against Christie Aides, Report Says". WNYC. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  36. ↑ Benen, Steve (January 23, 2014). "Christie admin scandal draws FBI scrutiny". MSNBC. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  37. ↑ Giambusso, David (January 18, 2014). "Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer's Sandy allegations 'categorically false', DCA official says". NJ.com.
  38. ↑ Giambusso, David (January 18, 2014). "Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer stands by her allegations against Christie". NJ.com.
  39. ↑ Stirling, Stephen (January 18, 2014). "Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer now becomes Chris Christie's foe". NJ.com.
  40. ↑ Chris Christie's Office Goes Off On MSNBC: 'A Partisan Network That Has Been Openly Hostile'. Huffingtonpost.com.
  41. ↑ Hoboken, N.J., mayor claims Chris Christie camp held Sandy money hostage. U.S.News.
  42. ↑ Guadagno, Ferzan dispute Hoboken Mayor's allegation about Sandy funds. NJ Spotlight.
  43. ↑ Magyar, Mark J. (February 5, 2014). "ANALYSIS: U.S. ATTORNEY’S TRAIL SHOWS HOBOKEN CHARGES MORE SERIOUS". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  44. ↑ "Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken mayor, says Sandy aid ultimatum came from Chris Christie". Newsday. January 19, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  45. ↑ Hayes, Melissa (January 31, 2014). "Christie scandal: Hoboken documents subpoenaed by U.S. attorney". The Record. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  46. ↑ Freidman, Matt (January 31, 2014). "U.S. Attorney subpoenas Hoboken in Hurricane Sandy funding investigation". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  47. ↑ "Christie lawyers: Mayor's Sandy claims ‘false'". The Trentonian. March 27, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  48. ↑ Magyar, Mark J. (April 16, 2014). "CHRISTIE’S MASTRO MISTAKE: REPORT BACKFIRES POLITICALLY, LEGALLY". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  49. ↑ Hutchins, Ryan (March 27, 2014). "Christie scandal: Hoboken mayor's claims 'demonstrably false,' internal report says". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  50. ↑ DeChiaro, Dean (March 30, 2014). "Christie report picks apart Zimmer allegations". The Hudson Reporter. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  51. ↑ Editorial (March 27, 2014). "A Whitewash for Gov. Christie". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  52. ↑ Editorial (March 27, 2014). "On Bridgegate, a million-dollar whitewash: Editorial". The STar-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  53. ↑ "New Jersey Bridgegate Probes: Whitewash V. Witch Hunt, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Gov. Christie's Approval Is Down, Bully-Meter Is Up" (Press release). Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. April 9, 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  54. ↑ "Kimberly Ferzan". University of Virginia.
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