(AP) - Travel records show the Republicancandidate for governor in New Jersey frequently exceeded federalspending guidelines on business travel while he was U.S. attorney.

Chris Christie exceeded the hotel allowance on 15 of 16 business trips last year. The records were obtained by the campaign of Christie's opponent, Gov. Jon Corzine, under the Freedom of Information Act. The campaign gave them to The Associated Press.

The vouchers show taxpayers occasionally paid for five-star hotels topping $400 a night.

Christie, has campaigned on a platform of ethical integrity and cutting government waste. He says he stayed in more expensive hotels when government rates weren't available and completed paperwork justifying the expenses.

An ethics watchdog calls Christie's travel history astonishing.