Gov. Chris Christie brushed aside criticisms of his relationship with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Thursday night, saying there was no basis for ethics complaints focused on the awarding of a Port Authority contract to a company partly owned by Jones.

"Just craziness," Christie said, during Thursday night's "Ask the Governor" program.

Christie said he didn't know Jones personally until the Cowboys owner reached out to him in 2013 after hearing a report that Christie had described himself as a Dallas fan.

Chris Christie with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. (Kira Buxton, Townsquare Media0
Chris Christie with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. (Kira Buxton, Townsquare Media0
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"When he got the contract at the Port Authority, I didn't know him," Christie said. "Second, I didn't even know who has the concession at the Port Authority [awarded to a Jones' related firm]."

Christie said the complaint was the work of "partisan hacks" adding, "This came from Hillary Clinton's PAC.".

The group American Democracy Legal Fund, which supports Democratic presidential frontrunner Clinton, is calling on the commission to look into whether the governor violated ethics rules after he and his family traveled to Dallas on a private jet owned by Jones and received free tickets to watch the team play the Detroit Lions.

 

Chris Christie reacts to a question during 'Ask the Governor' on Thursday, Jan. 15. (Kira Buxton, Townsquare Media)
Chris Christie reacts to a question during 'Ask the Governor' on Thursday, Jan. 15. (Kira Buxton, Townsquare Media)
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The relationship was thrown into the national spotlight when Christie was shown on TV hugging and high-fiving Jones in the Dallas owner's box after Cowboy victory.

The complaint argues the complimentary tickets and the plane ride violate state ethics rules because Jones is also a part owner of Legends Hospitality, the group that was awarded a big Port Authority hospitality services contract. As New Jersey's governor, Christie partially controls the PA and has appointed many top officials at the bi-state agency.

Susan Guerrero, the head of the state Ethics Commission --and also a Christie appointee-- has indicated ethics laws were not compromised.

Aside from the ethics debate, Christie's high-visibility “bromance” with Jones has infuriated many New Jersey football fans who either root for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants and view the Dallas Cowboys as a hated division rival.

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