Stuffed
Russell M. Nigro becomes first Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice to be tossed from the bench by the voters. Citizens interviewed in this Amy Worden article tell about anger over pay raises.
I know what I think of first when I hear the name Russell Nigro.
Daily News columnist John Baer wrote back in October:
He charges for lunches of more than $100 at Capital Grille and the Four Seasons; dinners of more than $200 at Bliss and Pompeii; dinners of more than $300 at Mio Sogno and Prime Rib: dinners of more than $400 at Prime Rib and Morton's.
There's also Susanna Foo, the Palm, Ruth's Chris and others.
During one week, last April 11 to 18, he spent $1,280 at restaurants in Philly, Ambler and Pittsburgh. This, to me, seems abusive.
In an interview, Nigro says he eats out more than others because he's not married. He says meals charged to taxpayers are for "court-related business" with other judges, lawyers or law clerks, some in fairly large groups. He says, "I don't like lawyers buying me anything."
He says he recently reviewed his expenses and found just "eight [meals] greater than $300, most under $200... I don't think I'm taking advantage."
When my family is away and I'm on my own I often open up a can of hominy corn, pour it into a plastic bowl, put a little butter on top, and nuke it. If I'm feeling really zippy I make a tuna casserole. I guess Judge Nigro never considered these options. $200.00 for dinner? Why don't these people ever get together at a Wendy's or something? I don't even think these high flying, big spending politicos even live on the same planet I do.