The internal Mastro report that looked into the George Washington Bridge lane closures suggested that Gov. Chris Christie hire an ombudsman to report misconduct. Christie took that advice and named Patrick Hobbs to the position. Hobbs told NJTV News Managing Editor Mike Schneider that he doesn’t begin his duties until next week.
“I actually don’t begin official duties until next week,” said Hobbs. “For the past two years, I’ve served as the chairman of the State Commission of Investigation and we have a report in progress that we want to complete.”
When Hobbs begins his duties as ombudsman, he said that he wants to meet with the employees within the governor’s office. He wants to be considered as a outlet for employees to go to with concerns and for them to get comfortable with him and his new role.
In the meantime, the investigation into the GWB lane closures by the special investigative committee continues. Hobbs said that he has not been following the hearings.
“I have not had a chance to watch much of the testimony,” said Hobbs.
With his duties set to begin, Hobbs said that he views his role as ombudsman as a forward action role, as the Mastro report suggested, to serve as an outlet and to work with the chief counsel to hire a chief ethics officer.
Hobbs said that the job exists now because there were failings inside the governor’s administration; otherwise the administration would not be in the situation that it is in currently.
According to Hobbs, the governor is working to have a better functioning executive branch.
“I certainly know that from my conversation with the governor and the chief counsel, they’re determined to have a high functioning executive branch and to the extent that they think I can do that, I’m going to work as hard as I can for the citizens for New Jersey,” Hobbs said.