Christie no longer a VIP at Newark-Liberty Airport

UPDATE: Christie tweets that the story is FAKE NEWS

Former Governor Chris Christie was turned away from using the VIP entrance at Newark Airport today, according to a story first reported by WCBS News. Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Tinton Falls man accused of dodging more than $20K in tolls, fees

NEW YORK — A Monmouth County man who allegedly owes more than $20,000 in EZ-Pass tolls and fees was arrested by Port Authority police Tuesday. Levert Caldwell III of Tinton Falls drove across the Outerbridge Crossing, but didn’t stop to pay the toll, according to a news release. A Port Authority police officer pulled over Caldwell… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Former NJ DOT Commissioner Jamie Fox Charged in Samson’s United Airlines Bribery Scheme

Former New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox was charged by federal officials for his role in the bribery scheme that former Port Authority Chairman David Samson pleaded guilty to today, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Additionally, United Airlines has agreed to a pay a $2.5 million penalty and to make compliance reforms for its role in the scheme in which it established a non-stop route between Newark-Liberty Airport and Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina for Samson to fly to his vacation home in Aiken, SC.  In exchange Samson allowed the Port Authority Commission to approve a lease of three acres at the airport for United to build a maintenance hanger.

Fox, in his role as a $7,500 per month consultant to United, is accused of shaking down United employees, on Samson’s behalf, to get the route to South Carolina established.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

David Samson, close confidant of Christie, pleads guilty in airline shakedown

NEWARK–David Samson–the embattled former chairman of the powerful Port Authority of New York and New Jersey–pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to using his considerable clout to coerce one of the nation’s largest airlines to accommodate his desire for a regularly scheduled, non-stop flight to a South Carolina summer home. Samson, 76, a well-connected lawyer and one-time New… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

The Port Authority’s $16B spending spree includes these 6 projects

In what Chairman John Degnan called the most significant step for transportation infrastructure in the modern era, Port Authority commissioners green-lit $16 billion in projects Thursday. The center piece was what Vice Chairman Scott Rechler called a “horse trading” compromise between New York and New Jersey commissioners to approve the LaGuardia airport improvements in exchange for… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Tangled web surrounds United’s aborted Atlantic City routes

NEW YORK — Desperate to draw visitors to Atlantic City, New Jersey officials gave United Airlines more than $100,000 in incentives to fly to the seaside resort for at least a year. Then, when United abruptly canceled the money-losing routes eight months later, the officials appointed by Gov. Chris Christie decided not to enforce a contract… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Police seek public’s assistance in identifying deceased man found in Hudson River

The New Jersey State Police and the Port Authority Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a deceased man who was found in the Hudson River.

The white male was 45-50 years old, 5’5″, 151 lbs with blue/green eyes.  His salt and pepper hair was shaved from his head and he had a scruffy beard.   His upper teeth were missing and he had no scars or tattoos.  He was wearing black Speedo swim shorts, a blue t-shirt and black Nike sneakers when the body was recovered.  A forensic artists rendering is posted to the left.

Anyone with information that can assist in helping to identify this deceased male, please call the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000 ext. 2857 or Port Authority N.Y. & N.J. Police Department at 212-502-2514.

• Tweet

United Airlines CEO resigns over Port Authority probe

The chief executive officer and two other senior executives of United Airlines were unexpectedly ousted today — effective immediately — in connection with an ongoing federal probe into the airline’s dealings with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Jeff Smisek stepped down from his roles as chairman, president and chief executive officer of… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

New Jersey won’t pay legal bills for Bridget Anne Kelly in GWB case

Bridget Ann Kelly, texting, with Governor Chris Christie and Michelle Brown at Seaside Park fire, September 12, 2013 photo credit, Phil Stilon, Ocean County Signal

TRENTON, N.J.—New Jersey won’t pay for Bridget Anne Kelly’s legal bills. That decision followed a months-long fight by her attorney who argued she was being treated differently from other state employees who, like her, all believed it was a traffic study that caused the lane closings at the George Washington Bridge in September 2013. The details… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Even the lawyers now have lawyers at the embattled Port Authority

The Port Authority’s top lawyer, his deputy and at least one staff attorney are among 15 people whose legal bills are being paid by the agency in connection with investigations that have surfaced in the wake of the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal. “The Port Authority today confirmed that it is providing legal counsel to… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet