David Wildstein, former Port Authority official and a high-school friend of Gov. Christopher Christie, pleaded guilty to fraud and “conspiracy against civil rights,” on May 1, according to published reports.
Judge Susan D. Wigenton at the United States District Court in Newark said Wildstein had engaged in a conspiracy with two other Port Authority officials to close lanes in Fort Lee near the George Washington Bridge in September 2013.
After traffic lanes were shut down, many people became suspicious. The reasons for the traffic tie-up weren’t clear, and emergency vehicles and regular drivers couldn’t get through. Then, emails among members of Gov. Christie’s administration suggested that a few officials may have ordered the closures to retaliate against the Fort Lee mayor for not supporting Christie’s re-election bid.
Christie, who is contemplating a run for president, has denied any prior knowledge of the bridge closing.
Major developments in Chris Christie ‘Bridgegate’ scandal
David Wildstein, former Port Authority official and a high-school friend of Gov. Christopher Christie, pleaded guilty to fraud and “conspiracy against civil rights,” on Friday, May 1, according to published reports.
Judge Susan D. Wigenton at the United States District Court in Newark said Wildstein had engaged in a conspiracy with two other Port Authority officials to close lanes in Fort Lee near the George Washington Bridge in September 2013.
After traffic lanes were shut down, many people became suspicious. The reasons for the traffic tie-up weren’t clear, and emergency vehicles and regular drivers couldn’t get through. Then, emails among members of Gov. Christie’s administration suggested that a few officials may have ordered the closures to retaliate against the Fort Lee mayor for not supporting Christie’s re-election bid.
Christie, who is contemplating a run for president, has denied any prior knowledge of the bridge closing.
Later on Friday, former Port Authority deputy executive director Bill Baroni, and Bridget Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Chris Christie, were indicted in connection with the incident.
A week ago, the Wall Street Journal quoted sources saying there would be no fallout from allegations by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer that Christie aides threatened to withhold Superstorm Sandy aid unless city officials approved a politically-connected development.
Watch hudsonreporter.com for more details.
A week ago, the Wall Street Journal quoted sources saying there would be no fallout from allegations by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer that Christie aides threatened to withhold Superstorm Sandy aid unless city officials approved a politically-connected development.
Watch hudsonreporter.com for more details.