Phil Murphy's campaign for governor paid $2 more than million to a political consultant under investigation for his work in Bermuda.
Two news outlets report that Derrick Green, owner of Green Consultants, became embroiled in a Bermudian political scandal years before he was hired by Murphy for campaign outreach.
Green was then hired this year for a $140,000 job as a government representative in the Secretary of State's office.
Politico New Jersey reported that the consulting firm also employed Marcellus Jackson, who stepped down in September from his $70,000-a-year job as a special assistant in the state Department of Education's Office of Civic and Social Engagement. He was determined to be disqualified from serving in any public office in New Jersey due to a felony conviction for accepting a bribe.
Records from the Election Law Enforcement Commission indicate Green Consultants was paid more than $2 million by the Murphy campaign between June 2016 and November 2017.
He then served as senior adviser for outreach during the transition.
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A campaign official told Politico the firm was hired during the campaign for canvassing and faith-based outreach focusing on African-American communities.
Northjersey.com spoke to two people in the Secretary of State's office who said they had never heard of Green, even though he's listed in that office's employ.
That report quoted an anonymous source saying, however, that Green's job is in "elevating the voices and participation of urban and faith based communities in the administration"."
Northjersey.com reported Green was hired for similar get-out-the-vote work in Bermuda by the One Bermuda Alliance party, which was working to oust to sitting government.
Green and another consultant set up a checking account that became embroiled in a political scandal. The account received $350,000 from American developer Nathan Landow and his associates who were reportedly interested in building casinos there.
Party leaders were not aware of the checking account or payments, according to Bermuda news reports.
Findings of an internal party investigation into "Jetgate" note that Green said the money was spent on campaign-related activities but that the party could not verify the expenditures independently.
Green has denied allegations that he introduced the former head of One Bermuda Alliance, who later resigned amid scandal, to the American developer. The scandal gets its name from the private jet belonging to Landow the former leader took to a private meeting with him in Washington D.C., according to news reports.
Green has not been charged with a crime, and Politico New Jersey reports the matter is still under investigation.
Green did not respond to the news outlets for comment.
A Murphy spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
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