Bridgegate: Christie Cronies Kelly, Baroni and Wildstein Indicted

Previous Related Posts:
Christie Talks, Bridget Strikes Back, Samson Quits, Wildstein Still an Outcast
Christie's Bridgegate Report - Time for some Slut-Shaming in New Jersey
Christie Faces Bad Karma for Dissing Wildstein
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado
Chris Christie Explains But Holes Remain
David Wildstein Implicates Chris Christie in Bridgegate Scandal
Christie's Well-Named Minion Bridget Kelly


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Federal prosecutors have indicted three of Chris Christie's cronies in the Bridgegate scandal: David Wildstein and Bill Baroni who were appointed by Christie to the Port Authority, and Bridget Ann Kelly, one of Christie's underlings in the Governor's office.

Wildstein is cooperating with Federal Prosecutors and is not expected to serve a long sentence in exchange for information. Baroni and Kelly are still holding out that they didn't conspire with Wildstein or Christie himself to close the George Washington Bridge on the first day of school in September in order to punish mayor of Fort Lee, NJ (a Democrat) for refusing to back Governor Christie in his election.

Originally, the trio and others in the Governor's inner circle swore that there was a "traffic study" to blame for the lane closures, but that was a bogus claim. On the first day of the closure, Kelly herself wrote to Wildstein in a now-infamous email which stated "Time for a few traffic problems in Fort Lee." Traffic was so snarled that some first responders and emergency vehicles were delayed in getting to places where people needed help. It is speculated that Federal Prosecutors are are involved because the Port Authority is shared by New York City, and blocking such a major thoroughfare in or out of New York is considered a danger to Homeland Security.

View David Wildstein's Plea Agreement Here
View Baroni-Kelly Indictment Here via NYTimes

From NewJersey.com

In emails previously made public, Kelly appeared to give the go-ahead for the lane closures on Aug. 13, 2013, when she wrote: “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” and Wildstein replied, “Got it.” Later emails showed what appeared to be an indifference to the plight of borough children stuck in the massive traffic jam on their way to school.
. . . “Is it wrong that I’m smiling,” Kelly wrote, later adding that “I feel badly about the kids. … I guess.” Wildstein responded dismissively that “they are the children of Buono voters.” After Sokolich sent a text message to Baroni complaining that children were late getting to school, Kelly emailed Wildstein: “Bottom line is he didn’t say safety.”
. . . Prosecutors said the plan wasn’t put into effect until Sept. 9, the first day of school, to “intensify Mayor Sokolich’s punishment,” and that the idea to push it back came from Baroni, who had “recommended against implementing the plan in August when travel was traditionally lighter and the punitive impact would be lessened.”

This week Bridget Kelly made a public statement pleading innocence:



From NewJersey.com

"I am not guilty of the crimes for which I have been accused," Kelly said during a press conference with her attorney, Michael Critchley, after prosecutors unsealed a federal indictment. . . . "David Wildstein is a liar," Kelly said.

Baroni did not speak, but his attorney made a statement also labeling Wildstein a "Liar" who led his client astray with false "traffic study" documents:

NJ.com

. . . one of Baroni's attorneys, Michael Baldassare, asserted that Wildstein provided him with scores of documents that "would lead anyone to believe" that a legitimate traffic study was being conducted.
"No one disputes that David Wildstein is a criminal and a liar," Baldessare said during a news conference Friday afternoon outside the courthouse. "If David Wildstein was willing to repeatedly lie to settle a petty political grudge, no one should be surprised at his eagerness to concoct any story he thinks will help him stay out of federal prison."

The main takeaway from today is that Baroni was way more involved than we knew. And said he was acting on behalf of "Trenton" #bridgegate

— Andrea Bernstein (@AndreaWNYC) May 1, 2015

“Did you punish the mayor by deliberately causing traffic problems?” the judge asked. Wildstein: “Yes" http://t.co/w4UF1MmTya #Bridgegate

— Michael Linhorst (@MichaelLinhorst) May 1, 2015

Buried in the Baroni/Kelly indictment: the fake traffic study messed up a real traffic study: pic.twitter.com/oPQeVKJ9R9

— Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) May 2, 2015

Bridget Kelly en route to news conf after #Bridgegate indictment. Pic by @SciarrinoRobert http://t.co/wrlDNcM3Hk pic.twitter.com/QcNIuflGgT

— Andrew Mills (@AndyMills_NJ) May 1, 2015

Former Chris Christie aide denies wrongdoing in #Bridgegate scandal http://t.co/ulopt8TbeC https://t.co/meJzAvsGWF

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 3, 2015

Has #Bridgegate been a bridge too far for your memory? Here's a refresher of the scandal: http://t.co/ArH0kASJXt

— msnbc (@msnbc) May 2, 2015

#Christie, Kelly, Baroni, Wildstein all blame the bridge, which is clearly guilty as hell. #Bridgegate

— GottaLaff (@GottaLaff) May 1, 2015

Except for that email "time to shut down" thing... #Bridgegate https://t.co/URHI7LwabQ

— GottaLaff (@GottaLaff) May 1, 2015

Question is will David Wildstein reveal reason Chris #Christie closed GW bridge? #bridgegate pic.twitter.com/OecMvf4C3h

— RB Blair (@TuxcedoCat) May 1, 2015

Justice arrives for the 1st of three main coneheads in #Bridgegate Wildstein goes down. http://t.co/R08QAVwj37 pic.twitter.com/JgTYmXxHoT

— R2BNation (@R2BNation) May 1, 2015

Port Authority Under Scrutiny in #Bridgegate

New York/New Jersey Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye is one of the few heroes emerging from the #Bridgegate scandal. He's the guy who got fed up with excuses coming from the Christie Administration and did the right thing for by opening up the three closed lanes leading to Fort Lee on the George Washington Bridge. Yesterday was the first time the Port Authority has met for a public meeting since all of this hit the fan.

Previous Related Posts:
New Christie Cronies Chip and Jeff
David Wildstein Implicates Christie in Bridgegate Scandal
Christie Faces Bad Karma for Dissing Wildstein
Chris Christie Has Tumultuous Super Bowl Weekend

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From the Press Conference with the Port Authority Executive Director

Pat Foye: I believe I took the right action when I learned about the lane closures, promptly opened them. I stand by my email and my decision. I believed then and I believe now - and given the multiplicity of law enforcement investigations underway there's some question - that there was a question of violations of federal and state law.

Question: Has the Chairman (of the Port Authority, David Samson) ever apologized to you for his emails or whatever attacking you?

Foye: The answer is no, don't expect one.

~~~

About that "special" job created by Chris Christie just for David Wildstein, which has now been eliminated by the Port Authority:

Steve Kornacki: The title that David Wildstein had created for him - Director of Interstate Capital Projects - what was your understand of what his job was? And now apparently that role isn't going to exist in the future, so functionally how will the Port continue without a Director of Interstate Capital Projects?

Pat Foye: Well, look - the decision to eliminate the position was a joint one....we made that decision. I think it was the right one. The absence of someone in that position, whether David Wildstein or someone else, will have zero, nada effect on the Port Authority.

Kornacki: What was his (Wildstein's) job, since there was no formal job description that we have been able to find? What in your understanding did you think his job at the Port Authority was?

Pat Foye: I understood he was primarily interested in politics. Next . . . 

On behalf of the board of commissioners, we are deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused to our travelers.
. . . Recently, there have been many comments and concerns about how the Port Authority operates. I cannot allow this agency to be mischaracterized by the actions of a few individuals when the day-to-day work of so many, including this board, is so important.
. . . While I would like to comment more specifically about some of the outstanding issues, I recognize there are established efforts to examine the events that occurred. I defer to these procedures and I trust when the facts unfold, and they will unfold, the public will have a complete picture.
~ Port Authority Chairman, David Samson, via the Star-Ledger

While Samson's law firm worked for NJ Transit, he cast a vote authorizing the Port Authority to lease a park-and-ride lot in North Bergen to the transportation agency for $1 a year, the report said.
. . . Before the 49-year lease was approved, NJ Transit paid the Port Authority $900,000 a year for the Hudson County lot. Commuters pay $9.50 per day for a parking space and a round-trip bus ticket to the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan.
NJ Transit paid Wolf & Samson as much as $1.5 million to "advise" it how to generate additional revenue from its parking facilities, the Record reported.
~ From NJ.com

Over the years, the Port Authority has often served as a political candy jar, providing patronage jobs for political allies. Mr. Christie has been particularly skillful at doling out well-paid jobs at the authority to his supporters. By most counts, there are at least 50 agency employees who owe their jobs to the New Jersey governor.
The traffic scandal that has resulted in numerous investigations and two resignations of Christie appointees is just the latest example of how governance of the Port Authority is tainted by personal politics. And because two states share executive control, and thus responsibility, there is no meaningful oversight.
~ New York Times Editorial

(State Attorney Philip) Kwon, it has been reported, spent four or five days counseling one of Bridgegate’s chief players, Bill Baroni, the Port Authority’s deputy executive director, when Baroni was preparing to testify before a New Jersey state legislative committee investigating the lane-closing affair last November. That’s important because Baroni, a close ally of Christie’s, told the legislators that the closings were due to a “traffic study” being conducted by the Port Authority, which manages the bridge. But if there was no traffic study—and by now it’s widely known that there wasn’t any such thing—then what did Kwon tell Baroni to say? Did he counsel him to lie? Was he unaware that there was no study underway?
~ From "Christie Watch" on The Nation

Monday Morning Joe Quarterbacking for Christie as Subpoenas Come Due

Previous Related Posts:
Christie Faces Bad Karma for Dissing Wildstein
David Wildstein Implicates Christie in #Bridgegate
Chris Christie has Tumultuous Super Bowl Weekend

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Today the New Jersey Legislative Committee is expecting an influx of documents from the subpoenas of Christie's minions. But they probably won't release anything right away.

From New Jersey Star-Ledger

State Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), who co-chairs the committee with state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), said Saturday that the delivery of documents is likely to be a drawn-out process because nearly all of those targeted have asked for extensions.
"We have instructed counsel to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate," he said. "Some want a few extra days. Some want to deliver them on a rolling basis."
Once in hand, the documents will be cataloged by the Office of Legislative Services and checked for completeness, Weinberg said. They are not expected to be made public until the people who supplied the records testify before the committee.

Because of the "Abuse of Power" investigation, the Christie gang is in need of legal funds, and sent out a plea to use their campaign war chest to bail themselves out:

From NJ.com

Gov. Chris Christie's re-election campaign is seeking permission to use the remaining funds -- as well as raise additional money -- to pay the legal bills arising from its cooperation with the state and federal investigations into the controversial George Washington Bridge lane closures in Fort Lee.
Without approval from the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, the Christie for Governor campaign will run out of money and be unable to comply with subpoenas to turn over documents sought by the U.S. Attorney and the joint legislative panel investigating the matter, according to a letter Thursday from the campaign's attorney, Mark Sheridan.

From Huffington Post:

Christina Genovese Renna left the governor's office Friday, the same day former Christie loyalist David Wildstein claimed to have evidence contradicting the governor's account of a lane closing operation, apparently to create traffic chaos as a political vendetta.
Renna reported to Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Kelly, who apparently set the lane closings in motion with an email to Wildstein.

I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to bathe in the tears of Joe Scarborough.
~ Sam Seder




On Monday's Morning Joe, most of the crew tried to bolster Christie. In the first segment, first Mike Barnacle then Joe Scarborough blamed the "Not Ready for Prime Time" staff for writing the Friday memo, apparently forgetting that many of them have resigned or were fired by Christie himself. Later Mika, Joe, and Nicole Wallace say that Christie never said he "didn't know" about the lane closures, when we have video of the two-hour presser at which Christie denied knowledge over and over until "after the fact." So really, Morning Joe brings up an interesting question - how could Christie NOT know the lanes were closed if he drove anywhere? Luckily there were journalists on the show who explained the actual facts to the Morning Joe crowd.

~~~
It's going to be what we in the news business call the "Drip Treatment." And it's going to be there every day, and extended into a period of weeks and into months. And his response over the weekend, if that is his staff at their best work, then he's done nationally.
~ Mike Barnacle

Let's speak the uncomfortable truth that he didn't have people around him who were ready for Prime Time before this happened, obviously. Why is it that he still has people around him that would let something like that go out? And office like that with a boss that people still don't have control over. Why doesn't he bring in a national Republican figure or somebody solid that can tell the kids to just sit in the back when they want to talk about social studies teachers.
. . . The Christie people are saying that Chris Christie knew, while the lanes were closed, that the lanes were closed. Of course. How could you not know that lanes were closed while the lanes were closed, when anybody that was driving, like myself, from New York to — in my case, Connecticut, or people going from New Jersey to New York or Connecticut, it’s impossible not to know while the lanes were closed that the lanes were closed.
~ Joe Scarborough

I was speaking to a source that knows the close internal workings of the Port Authority over the weekend and they describe Wildstein as the Governor's 'operative' at the Port Authority and also said that Wildstein wouldn't be shopping for immunity if he didn't have something . . . that's disparaging to the Governor.
The issues with the Chris Christie Press Conference, which he gave for two hours and everybody thought he did a great job, which he did, but all those statements might come back to haunt him now. Especially if Wildstein has an ax to grind, or Bridget Kelly has an ax to grind. The woman who left on Friday, Christina Renna, is also the one who reported directly to Bridget Kelly; there's an email going on with them where Mayor Sokolich (of Fort Lee) actually called in and Renna sent an email on to Bridget Kelly telling her the fact that the Mayor called. So there's a lot more to come.
~ Thomas Roberts on Morning Joe

A lot of Republicans, especially those sympathetic to Gov. Christie and those among us who want to allow him a presumption of innocence feel like Friday night's story may have been overblown.
~ Nicole Wallace on Morning Joe




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David Wildstein Implicates Christie in #Bridgegate

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.

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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, 2014

Christie 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, 2014

I 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, 2014

Among the stupider mistakes Christie has made was to tell the world that Wildstein was a loser in high school.
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) February 1, 2014

Conservo-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, 2014

Reminder 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, 2014

Hysterics: this MIGHT be the beginning of the end, but it is not the end. The man is a fighter.
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) January 31, 2014

in which @MarkHalperin @JoeNBC‎ and @ron_fournier respond to the latest Chris Christie news pic.twitter.com/J472HoozWH
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 31, 2014

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IN A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S OFFICE STATED "LALALALALAICAN'THEARYOU!!!LALALALA"
— Timothy Connolly CFA (@SconsetCapital) January 31, 2014

Chris Christie turning green and bursting through his clothes. Citizens are advised to shelter in place.
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) January 31, 2014

BREAKING EXCLUSIVE PIC Christie learns that Wildstein has evidence pic.twitter.com/zWhBE85hpg

— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) January 31, 2014

so 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, 2014

Smell that Chris? pic.twitter.com/JLEaRq2afm
— Jodzio Jonz (@Jodzio) January 31, 2014

The only shocking thing about this whole Chris Christie mess, is that some people were shocked! Fork.....meet Christie!
— Art Vandalay (@soxfaneast) January 31, 2014

Poor #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, 2014

BREAKING: 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, 2014

My guess is Chris Christie will burn down all of New Jersey before he agrees to resign. #scorn
— Mr Burlesk (@mrburlesk) January 31, 2014

IT'S EVERY RAT FOR HIM/HERSELF!!! #Bridgegate
— Mr Burlesk (@mrburlesk) January 31, 2014

David Wildstein is giving up the goods to save his neck, so, for me, that begs the question: #WheresBridgetKelly? #BridgeGate
— SecolaEdwards (@SecolaEdwards) January 31, 2014

Chris Christie Tries to Deflect and Dissemble on #BridgeGate

Previous Related Posts
Christie's Well-Named Minion, Bridget Kelly
Christie Bridge-Splains But Holes Remain
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado

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Investigations of wrong-doing are rising faster than orange cones on Bridge to Fort Lee, but Governor Chris Christie keeps insisting that there's nothing to see, that he knows nothing, and that he's already fired those responsible. But the emails and text messages released so far paint a very different picture of Christie's closest associates as they dealt with criticism over the closure of the George Washington Bridge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last week has certainly tested this administration. Mistakes were clearly made. And as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better. Much better.
I am the governor and I am ultimately responsible for all that happens on my watch - both good and bad.
And without a doubt we will cooperate with all appropriate enquiries to ensure that this breach of trust does not happen again.But I also want to assure the people of New Jersey today that what has occurred does not define us, or our state.
~ Chris Christie quoted by CBS News

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Shorter Chris Christie "Catch me if you can, suckers!" Drops mic, walks off high-fiving supporters, kissing babies, putting on lobster bib.
— Political Laffdogs (@GovtofthePeeps) January 14, 2014

My #BridgeGate Theory: Stepien: mastermind-fired Wildstein: operative-quit Baroni: operative-quit Kelly: pawn-fired Samson: accessory-N/A
— Political Laffdogs (@GovtofthePeeps) January 15, 2014

"I'm ultimately responsible, [but I will ultimately throw all my staff under the bus first]."- @GovChristie in #NJSOTS, basically
— Lis Smith (@lis_Smith) January 14, 2014

.@GovChristie will cooperate with all inquiries into #BridgeGate saying, "My staff is shredding...er...gathering documents as we speak".
— clydetheslyde (@clydetheslyde) January 14, 2014

Last night, I was reading “Bridge to Terabithia” to my kids when Chris Christie showed up and shut it down.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) January 14, 2014

Jimmy Fallon and Bruce Springsteen Sing
"Governor Christie's Traffic Jam"
("I gotta take a leak!")





We know everybody's fascinated by BridgeGate, and the reality is that we'd all like to go to the last chapter of the book and see what is the conclusion here. That's not responsible. There needs to be a methodical and systematic approach to this.
~ Rep. Louis Greenwald, D-NJ, Majority Leader of New Jersey Assembly

This is part of a pattern, of retribution, of calling people names. But this is carried to the point of ...really a vicious act. He put thousands and thousands of people in jeopardy. There were little kids, Kindergartners and First Graders going to school for the first day, caught in traffic jams. It was the week of the 9-11 observance and apparently and from the press reports we've seen the Governor and two of the main characters in this drama (Weinstein and Baroni) spent some time at the observance. You mean they never whispered 'there's something going on in Fort Lee'?
~ State Senator Loretta Weinberg on Rachel Maddow MSNBC

From the Washington Post:

A photo published by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday shows Christie appearing in New York with David Wildstein at a ceremony commemorating the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The traffic jam began Sept. 9 and lasted four days.
The photo's release comes shortly after Christie, at a nearly two-hour news conference last week, downplayed his interactions and relationship with Wildstein, who attended the same high school. Christie said he hadn't encountered Wildstein in "a long time."
"I have had no contact with David Wildstein in a long time, a long time -- well before the election," Christie said, referring to his Nov. 5 reelection win. "You know, I could probably count on one hand the number of conversations I've had with David since he worked at the Port Authority. I did not interact with David."

Christie says he hardly knows David Wildstein but new WS Journal photo puts them together during the bridge closing. pic.twitter.com/8jNTMCMfnt
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 14, 2014

High school pals Chris Christie and the Port Authority exec he appointed, David Wildstein. http://t.co/2XaESioFlk pic.twitter.com/kSsYfryWMN
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 10, 2014

Dear Christie: we got pictures. You know what comes next. #Resign #Impeach pic.twitter.com/tasDULWX4B
— Bob Fertik (@BobFertik) January 14, 2014

I'm not one for Sopranos references, but really, this picture #bridgegate pic.twitter.com/hyIENz0Bba
— Danny Kanner (@DannyKanner) January 14, 2014

I actually heard someone on my teevee today speculate that #bridgegate is somehow bad for NJ dems and I laughed until tears formed. Just no.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) January 14, 2014

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will shut you down. #p2 #bridgegate
— Casey (@pari_passu) January 14, 2014

Chris Christie must be SOOOOO nostalgic for Hurricane Sandy ! He can't face storms of his own making! #Bridgegate pic.twitter.com/5mkwkKUT2E
— Howling Blue (@CryinAllTheTime) January 15, 2014

I swear I just looked up at the TV screen & read the crawl: "Gov Christie just finished Shit of the State address." #libcrib
— K Smith (@Smith83K) January 14, 2014

Christie's Well-Named Minion, Bridget Kelly

Previous Related Posts:
Christie Bridge-Splains but Holes Remain
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How prophetic were the parents of Bridget Anne Kelly when they named their daughter? How much you want to bet she gets a reality show?

— Jon Berger (@jonb1010) January 10, 2014

... so is anyone staking out Bridget Kelly? seems odd we don't have B-roll of her getting into a car or taking out the trash or something.

— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) January 10, 2014

Breaking: Christie blames everything on his (now missing) aide Bridget Anne Kelly. Hope she returns the favor when she testifies. #GWBridge

— Rashid Hussein Obama (@rashid7053) January 8, 2014

Copy of email from Gov. Christie Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly to PA appointee David Wildstein #BridgeGate pic.twitter.com/QjLu79CGUj

— Carmine DeMarco (@CarmineADeMarco) January 8, 2014

Who is Bridget Anne Kelly? Hard-working mother of 4…or political dirty trickster? http://t.co/k7V5Eh0wcz pic.twitter.com/AN6VRL965l

— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 10, 2014

Gov. Chris Christie and Bridget Anne Kelly in happier times. pic.twitter.com/tM8e4mqlN5

— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 9, 2014

RT @nypost: Today's front page http://t.co/t4AoeK89Oz pic.twitter.com/DGj5jWTQEq <— No ambiguity here.

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) January 10, 2014

Governor Christie throws Bridget Anne Kelly under a bus on a one lane highway http://t.co/LrxK1FtRcH

— Newsblok.com (@NBTWT) January 10, 2014

He hasn't spoken to Bridget Kelly since the emails came out? He just fired her? I hope she has a good lawyer.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) January 9, 2014

How did he fire her without talking to her? RT @WNYC: Christie: I have not had conversation with Bridget Kelly since the email came out.

— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) January 9, 2014

One of the more concerning inconsistencies: Christie says he's doing intense investigation - but won't talk to fired aide, Bridget Kelly.

— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) January 9, 2014

Chris Christie expects Americans to believe his Deputy CoS, Bridget Kelly, woke up one day and decided #bridgegate must happen. Seriously?

— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 9, 2014

Judging by the tone/length of Bridget Kelly's email, we can assume this wasn't the 1st time Team Christie had caused "traffic problems," no?

— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) January 10, 2014

Bridget Kelly now getting driven to the Pine Barrens by Christopher Moltisanti and Paulie Walnuts.

— roadkillrefugee (@rkref) January 9, 2014

Tom Hagen or Christie aide Bridget Kelly: "Ur going to have some union prblms. My client cld make them disappear."? http://t.co/GDf519WPzy

— Peter Kaufman (@inklake) January 8, 2014

"As punishment, we will now cause traffic jams in Bridget Anne Kelly's neighborhood."

— CC:Indecision (@indecision) January 9, 2014

Bridget Kelly fired. I wonder how much taxpayers severance and benefits package she'll receive in return not to snitch out @GovChristie.

— Curtis (@cfreelakers24) January 9, 2014

If Bridget Anne Kelly were an Aaron Sorkin character, everyone would be bemoaning her as way too cartoonishly evil. http://t.co/HI0aMHERI6 …

— Zedd Rebel (@ZeddRebel) January 8, 2014

Bridget Kelly should take her firing in stride. She clearly has a future as a writer for House of Cards, Season 3.

— Carina Kolodny (@carinakolodny) January 10, 2014

Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado

What did New Jersey Governor Chris Christie know and when did he know it? Call it what you will - BridgeGate - or Bridgeghazi, BridgeNado, or A Bridge Too Far, or Bridge Over the River Hubris - all of those are monikers for the plot to close lanes of the George Washington Bridge to Fort Lee, New Jersey, apparently hatched by Christie staffers in retaliation for a lack of endorsement from the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee. And the whole controversy is casting a new pall on Christie's chances of being the "last best hope" of a non-Tea Party candidate in the GOP Presidential Primary in 2016.

From Huffington Post

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) deputy chief of staff was directly involved in a mean-spirited effort to create "traffic problems" for a mayor who declined to endorse the governor's reelection bid, according to newly released emails.

"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly wrote in an email on Aug. 13.
"Got it," replied David Wildstein, who was then one of Christie's top aides at the Port Authority, which is run jointly by New York and New Jersey.

A month later Wildstein did indeed create the traffic problems that Christie's office requested. He closed down two of Fort Lee's access lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge, the busiest bridge in the country. The closures came on Sept. 9, the first day of school in Fort Lee, leading to massive traffic jams as bridge traffic backed up into local streets. As a result, police and emergency vehicles were delayed in responding to reports of a missing child and a cardiac arrest.

Text Messages:
MAYOR SOKOLICH: Presently we have four very busy traffic lanes merging into one toll booth….The bigger problem is getting kids to school. Help, please. It’s maddening.

PERSON A: Is it wrong that I’m smiling?

WILDSTEIN: No

PERSON A: I feel badly about the kids

PERSON A: I guess

WILDSTEIN: They are the children of Buono voters

***Click This Link to Read More Emails/Texts between Christie Staff Members Concerning the Bridge Closure at NorthJersey.com




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I worked the cones, actually. ...I was in overalls and a hat. I was the guy working the cones.
~ Gov. Christie on December 2, 2013 mocking a reporter's question about the bridge situation in Fort Lee

I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge. One thing is clear: this type of behavior is unacceptable and I will not tolerate it because the people of New Jersey deserve better.
~ Statement from Chris Christie after emails of staff were revealed today

God Bless the Local New Jersey Newspapers who stuck with this story.
. . . We in the National Press owe them credit for opening this most amazing can of worms. Without them and their persistence in the face of stiff resistance, the nation might have never heard the words "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Without them it would have been just another local traffic jam story. Now it's anything but that.
~ Rachel Maddow on MSNBC

He is the worst example of bully and boss. And this string of e-mails clearly exposes a web of deceit, subterfuge and arrogance leading straight to Chris Christie.
~ Barbara Buono, Democratic candidate for Governor against Christie in 2012

Trenton, we have a problem.
~ Chris Matthews on Hardball

This is just a window into the way in which the Governorship has been run in New Jersey. And far from being a "small story" this is a thread that you pull to see how this guy operates, and how he would govern were he to become the President of the United States.
~ Howard Fineman on Hardball

You cannot close down the biggest bridge in the world for political retribution. You have intentionally put people in harm's way. You knew that before you did it. You knew that when Fort Lee called 20, 30, 40 times.
. . . This is about the lowest level of poltical venom I could ever make up. We’ve now ensured that we’re going to remain the butt of every political joke for the next 20 years on political misconduct.
. . . I've got to believe there's going to be an investigation to determine if this rises to the level of criminality.
. . . I'm nervous about future retribution. I want Fort Lee left alone.
~ Mark Sokolich, Democratic Mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey







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@nycjim : Story of the day. pic.twitter.com/XCcKh6jsrG

— rosierifka (@rosierifka) January 9, 2014

Last month, @GovChristie was perfectly fine with bridge closure was a 'traffic study' before he was outraged. #edshow

— RB Blair (@TuxcedoCat) January 8, 2014

#GWBSCANDAL is not about traffic jams, it's about @GovChristie abuse of power. Using interstate assets for petty political revenge!
— Russell (@BlkPoliticSport) January 9, 2014

Chris Christie: It wasn't me! Plus, I'm outraged! http://t.co/W03YyW9XGt
— Daily Kos (@dailykos) January 8, 2014

If Chris Christie really had no knowledge of #bridgegate, why did he try so hard to block the investigation? http://t.co/DG36bmgGgg
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) January 9, 2014

If Christie approved this, it's a career-ender. Even if he didn't, it shows what kinds of people he'll appoint.Yikes. http://t.co/1r3W6cAXja
— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) January 8, 2014

It's bizarre that so many conservatives- who hate Christie so much that they didnt even invite him to CPAC - are now rushing to his defense.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) January 9, 2014

The Bridges of Madison County Are Closed for a Traffic Study #Christiemovietitles

— John Kane (@Tortured_Verse) January 9, 2014

Chris Christie's "traffic study" discovered that when you cause paramedic response times to double, people die. So there's that.

— Devin (@devbost) January 9, 2014