New Jersey State Assembly sends 20 subpoenas in the George Washington Bridge investigation
The New Jersey State Assembly has sent 20 subpoenas to individuals and/or organizations associated with the George Washington Bridge investigation.
According to several media reports, Governor Chris Christie’s office and his Election Campaign have also received subpoenas. On January 8, 2014, Vincent Prieto, who is now the speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, discussed his reasoning as to why the subpoenas should be issued.
Steve Strunsky quoted Prieto as saying, “Given the new information that has come to light today, I plan a thorough review of the documents received from the Port Authority officials. Upon becoming Assembly Speaker next week, I plan to seek counsel and guidance from legal experts on how best to proceed. But I fully expect this investigation to continue into the next legislative session.”
Prieto released his statement on the same day that emails associated with Gov. Chris Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, Bridgett Anne Kelly, and former Port Authority employee, David Wildstein, were made public.
According to Slate Magazine’s columnist David Weigel, Kelly commented that it was “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” and Wildstein responded “Got it.”
During a press conference on January 9, 2014, Christie told reporters that he had recently learned about the emails.
After seeing the emails between Kelly and Wildstein, Christie fired Kelly. Christie was asked why he fired her without getting her side of the story. And Christie responded that she “lied” to him and that was “enough” for him.
David Wildstein and former Port Authority Deputy Executive Bill Baroni resigned last month. On January 9, 2014, Baroni and Wildstein testified before the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. Wildstein plead the fifth and was held in contemp.
Three lanes of the George Washington Bridge were closed from September 9, 2013, to September 13, 2013. During a press conference in early December 2013, Christie told reporters that the lanes were closed because of a traffic study.
According to the New York Post , Pat Foye, executive director of the New York Port Authority, questioned why Christie would close three lanes for a traffic study when New York and New Jersey’s residents travel on the bridge to and from work.
Mark Sokolich, mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, alleged that Gov. Chris Christie gave the order to close the lanes as a way to “pay back” Sokolich for not supporting him during the 2013 New Jersey Governor’s race.
After being questioned several times about the lanes’ closure, Christie joked that he was the one working the “orange cones.”
But during the January 9, 2014, press conference, Christie apologized and said that he never would’ve joked about the lanes closing if he had the information that he now has.
Christie also told reporters that he didn’t know Sokolich and couldn’t “pick him out of a line up.” However, there is a photo on the state’s website showing Sokolich and Christie on stage together. The picture was taken on December 8, 2011, in Teaneck, New Jersey, during a press conference Christie had on Sick Pay Reform.
On January 10, 2014, the state Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee released 900 documents associated with the George Washington Bridge investigation.
And last Thursday, Reid Schar, a former federal prosecutor, was hired to be the special counsel for the newly created Investigative Committee. Christie has hired former Rudy Giulianni’s lawyer, Randy M. Mastro, to represent him in this matter.
The U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI public corruption unit, and the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee are investigating the bridge’s closure. A class action lawsuit has also been filed against Gov. Christie.
According to several media reports, Governor Chris Christie’s office and his Election Campaign have also received subpoenas. On January 8, 2014, Vincent Prieto, who is now the speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, discussed his reasoning as to why the subpoenas should be issued.
Steve Strunsky quoted Prieto as saying, “Given the new information that has come to light today, I plan a thorough review of the documents received from the Port Authority officials. Upon becoming Assembly Speaker next week, I plan to seek counsel and guidance from legal experts on how best to proceed. But I fully expect this investigation to continue into the next legislative session.”
Prieto released his statement on the same day that emails associated with Gov. Chris Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, Bridgett Anne Kelly, and former Port Authority employee, David Wildstein, were made public.
According to Slate Magazine’s columnist David Weigel, Kelly commented that it was “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” and Wildstein responded “Got it.”
During a press conference on January 9, 2014, Christie told reporters that he had recently learned about the emails.
After seeing the emails between Kelly and Wildstein, Christie fired Kelly. Christie was asked why he fired her without getting her side of the story. And Christie responded that she “lied” to him and that was “enough” for him.
David Wildstein and former Port Authority Deputy Executive Bill Baroni resigned last month. On January 9, 2014, Baroni and Wildstein testified before the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. Wildstein plead the fifth and was held in contemp.
Three lanes of the George Washington Bridge were closed from September 9, 2013, to September 13, 2013. During a press conference in early December 2013, Christie told reporters that the lanes were closed because of a traffic study.
According to the New York Post , Pat Foye, executive director of the New York Port Authority, questioned why Christie would close three lanes for a traffic study when New York and New Jersey’s residents travel on the bridge to and from work.
Mark Sokolich, mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, alleged that Gov. Chris Christie gave the order to close the lanes as a way to “pay back” Sokolich for not supporting him during the 2013 New Jersey Governor’s race.
After being questioned several times about the lanes’ closure, Christie joked that he was the one working the “orange cones.”
But during the January 9, 2014, press conference, Christie apologized and said that he never would’ve joked about the lanes closing if he had the information that he now has.
Christie also told reporters that he didn’t know Sokolich and couldn’t “pick him out of a line up.” However, there is a photo on the state’s website showing Sokolich and Christie on stage together. The picture was taken on December 8, 2011, in Teaneck, New Jersey, during a press conference Christie had on Sick Pay Reform.
On January 10, 2014, the state Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee released 900 documents associated with the George Washington Bridge investigation.
And last Thursday, Reid Schar, a former federal prosecutor, was hired to be the special counsel for the newly created Investigative Committee. Christie has hired former Rudy Giulianni’s lawyer, Randy M. Mastro, to represent him in this matter.
The U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI public corruption unit, and the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee are investigating the bridge’s closure. A class action lawsuit has also been filed against Gov. Christie.
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