Huge Developments in the #Bridgegate Scandal today: David Wildstein filed a complaint through his attorney that the Port Authority of New Jersey wasn't going to help with his legal fees. Hidden in that complaint was a statement that he has information leading to the conclusion that Chris Christie lied during his press conference about the Fort Lee Bridge closure scandal. Christie's carefully worded response raises even more questions, as he now says he knew nothing about the lane closures "before" they happened, but nothing about "during." Is that evidence of guilt?
On Sunday, New Jersey hosts the Super Bowl, which would be a happy thing except that about 20 subpoenas from Christie minions are due to the Legislative Committee investigating Bridgegate the following day, on Monday. So this won't be the Super Bowl Party of his dreams. More like crying into his nachos.
Previous Related Posts
Christie Strikes Back at MSNBC on Hoboken Story
Christie Tries to Deflect and Dissemble on #BridgeGate
Christie's Well-Named Minion, Bridget Kelly
Christie Bridge-Splains But Holes Remain
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado
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From New York Times
In a letter released by his lawyer, the official, David Wildstein, a high school friend of Mr. Christie’s who was appointed with the governor’s blessing at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge, described the order to close the lanes as “the Christie administration’s order” and said “evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference” three weeks ago.
“Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some,” the letter added.
From CNN Political Ticker: "Who is David Wildstein?" January 9, 2014
"He's made a point to stay in the shadows and be the person directing the show from behind the curtain," said Shawn Boburg, a reporter for the Bergen County Record who wrote a profile of Wildstein in 2012.
Until he resigned last month, Wildstein was the director of interstate capital projects for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. But his unofficial title was maybe even more important: Chris Christie confidante.
"Wildstein was known as the Governor's eyes and ears inside this massive agency," Boburg said.
While the Port Authority had historically operated independently of the governors of the two states it served, Christie named Wildstein to the authority in 2010 to increase oversight.
"A lot of people felt afraid of him because of his direct line to the governor's office," Boburg said.
Governor Christie Responds, via NJ.com
Mr. Wildstein's lawyer confirms what the governor has said all along — he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened and whatever Mr. Wildstein's motivations were for closing them to begin with," the statement said.
"As the governor said in a Dec. 13 press conference, he only first learned lanes were closed when it was reported by the press and as he said in his Jan. 9 press conference, had no indication that this was anything other than a traffic study until he read otherwise the morning of Jan. 8. The governor denies Mr. Wildstein's lawyer's other assertions."
This is a shocking development. Christie is now damaged goods. If Wildstein's disclosures are as powerful as he claims, the governor must go.
~ New Jersey Star-Ledger Editorial Board
Also this about Bill Stepien, Chris Christie's former Campaign Manager via Politico
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s former campaign manager is fighting a subpoena from state lawmakers investigating the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal, according to a letter POLITICO obtained Friday.
Bill Stepien’s legal team is asking the lawmakers to withdraw his subpoena on the grounds that it violates his Fifth Amendment rights — becoming the second person to turn to that constitutional protection since probes of the controversy have begun.
This weekend is the Super Bowl and it is in New Jersey. And on that occasion I'm sure Governor Christie is delighted to be doing, like, sports interviews where nobody asks him whether he really is dealing with a Federal Grand Jury subpoena of his governor's office in this corruption scandal. But the Super Bowl is Sunday, and it will end on Sunday, and then will come and all of next week. And right now it looks like all of next week is going to be a real doozy.
~ Rachel Maddow
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The statement did not come from a spokesman, but was sent on official "Gov News" email account. Attribution is "Christie administration."
— John Reitmeyer (@johnreitmeyer) January 31, 2014@guypbenson No; Christie's been saying all along he found out afterward. His statement suddenly shifts question to whether he knew before.
— Taniel (@Taniel) January 31, 2014Christie isn’t doubling down, folks. If current statement is true, then he did not tell truth in 2 previous pressers. When did he know?
— Mo Elleithee (@MoElleithee) January 31, 2014I half-expected @GovChristie statement to again say how Christie was student council prez jock in HS, while Wildstein a nobody. #bridgegate
— Joshua Henne (@JoshuaHenne) January 31, 2014Among the stupider mistakes Christie has made was to tell the world that Wildstein was a loser in high school.
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) February 1, 2014Conservo-Pundit Mark Halperin of MSNBC Has a Sad:
Deep breaths: not everyone who contradicts @GovChristie is necessarily telling the truth & not everyone taking the 5th is covering up #well
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) January 31, 2014Reminder to those not paying close attention: since his marathon presser, @GovChristie has barely talked to the media. Tough to govern
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) January 31, 2014Hysterics: this MIGHT be the beginning of the end, but it is not the end. The man is a fighter.
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) January 31, 2014in which @MarkHalperin @JoeNBC and @ron_fournier respond to the latest Chris Christie news pic.twitter.com/J472HoozWH
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 31, 2014~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IN A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S OFFICE STATED "LALALALALAICAN'THEARYOU!!!LALALALA"
— Timothy Connolly CFA (@SconsetCapital) January 31, 2014Chris Christie turning green and bursting through his clothes. Citizens are advised to shelter in place.
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) January 31, 2014BREAKING EXCLUSIVE PIC Christie learns that Wildstein has evidence pic.twitter.com/zWhBE85hpg
— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) January 31, 2014so brutal for Christie: Wildstein goes public on the cusp of Super Bowl weekend. Wildstein's lawyer is playing Trenton like a fiddle.
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) February 1, 2014Smell that Chris? pic.twitter.com/JLEaRq2afm
— Jodzio Jonz (@Jodzio) January 31, 2014The only shocking thing about this whole Chris Christie mess, is that some people were shocked! Fork.....meet Christie!
— Art Vandalay (@soxfaneast) January 31, 2014Poor #tcot and @FoxNews, all their fantasies about how the Obama admin operates just came true is Chris Christie. I may never stop laughing.
— BWD (@theonlyadult) January 31, 2014BREAKING: NFL Announces Super Bowl Halftime Change "Tribute To Chris Christie" -David Wildstein To Sing "Say Goodbye" pic.twitter.com/orWYSBuDC4
— The Baxter Bean (@TheBaxterBean) January 31, 2014My guess is Chris Christie will burn down all of New Jersey before he agrees to resign. #scorn
— Mr Burlesk (@mrburlesk) January 31, 2014IT'S EVERY RAT FOR HIM/HERSELF!!! #Bridgegate
— Mr Burlesk (@mrburlesk) January 31, 2014David Wildstein is giving up the goods to save his neck, so, for me, that begs the question: #WheresBridgetKelly? #BridgeGate
— SecolaEdwards (@SecolaEdwards) January 31, 2014
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