The Bridge Over Troubled Christie Is Now On Fire

After years of propping the him up as "authentic" and "bipartisan" suddenly the Villagers are asking questions about why GOP NJ Gov. Chris Christie may not be so honest.

Just days after dismissing two top advisers for their roles in the George Washington Bridge scandal, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing questions over the use of Superstorm Sandy relief funds. 

CNN has learned that federal officials are investigating whether Christie improperly used those relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred him and his family. 

The news couldn't come at a worse time for the scandal-plagued Republican, who is facing two probes into whether his staff tied up traffic near the country's busiest bridge to punish a Democratic mayor who refused to endorse his successful re-election bid. 

If the Sandy inquiry finds any wrongdoing, it could prove even more damaging to Christie's national ambitions. His performance during and after the superstorm has been widely praised and is a fundamental part of his straight-shooting political brand. 

In the new probe, federal auditors will examine New Jersey's use of $25 million in Sandy relief funds for a marketing campaign to promote tourism at the Jersey Shore after Sandy decimated the state's coastline in late 2012, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone told CNN.

All the local shenanigans that supporters dismissed about the guy as "non-issues" are suddenly real problems in his now "scandal-plagued" administration.  It's funny now that Christie's brand is permanently damaged how all of a sudden this stuff demands closer inspection.  People are shocked that Christie would do anything to turn his response to Hurricane Sandy into political gold, even possibly break the law?

Now why would Christie risk his image like that?  Oh yes, a year ago, he was THE BOSS.  Now he's just in trouble.

Lots of trouble.