U.S. Supreme Court throws out Bridgegate convictions, 6 years after an epic traffic jam

In a sharp rebuke to prosecutors, the U.S. Supreme Court today threw out the convictions of Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni — the two former Christie administration officials charged in the bizarre scheme of political retribution that became known as Bridgegate.

“Because the scheme here did not aim to obtain money or property, Baroni and Kelly could not have violated the federal-program fraud or wire fraud laws,” the court ruled.

The unanimous 15-page ruling underscored the skepticism of a court that has repeatedly questioned the government’s “boundless interpretation” of the federal bribery … Read the rest of this entry »

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Baroni gets 18 months for Bridgegate conviction

Bill Barnoni, 47, a former NJ State Senator and the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY/NJ was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for his role in the September, 2013 George Washington Bridge lane closure known as Bridgegate, Assistant US Attorney Attorney for the United States Mark Coyne announced.

U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton imposed the sentence in Newark federal court.

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Wildstein Gets Probation for Bridgegate Role

Bill Baroni, Gov Christie and David Wildstein

David Wildstein, the central figure in the Bridgegate scandal, was sentenced to three years probation today, according to a statement by Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick.

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Defendant in Bridgegate trial testifies Christie knew more than he’s saying

Bridget Ann Kelly, texting, with Governor Chris Christie and Michelle Brown at Seaside Park fire, September 12, 2013, photo by Phil Stilton

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in August 2013 approved of a traffic study to be conducted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at the George Washington Bridge, according to testimony in federal court here Friday from Bridget Anne Kelly, a former aide to the governor who is charged in… Read the rest of this entry »

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Bridgegate Defendants Demand Chris Christie’s Phone Be Turned Over

Bridget Ann Kelly, texting, with Governor Chris Christie and Michelle Brown at Seaside Park fire, September 12, 2013, photo by Phil Stilton

Lawyers representing indicted Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Bill Baroni and staffer Bridget Kelly are asking for the cell phone embattled Christie was using at the time of Bridgegate. Baroni and Kelly’s attorneys cited Supreme Court precedent during the Watergate scandal, where it compelled President Richard Nixon to produce his audio tapes,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Judge orders release of Bridgegate co-conspirator names

A federal judge in Newark has ordered the release of the names of individuals who allegedly had knowledge of the scheme to shut down lanes at the George Washington Bridge before the Bridgegate scandal broke. In a ruling sought by a consortium of news organizations, including NJ Advance Media, U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton said the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Bridgegate lawyer seeks more names of more public officials

NEWARK — A lawyer for a former aide to Gov. Chris Christie is asking a federal court to order prosecutors to reveal the names of individuals who knew about the plan to cause havoc by closing off lanes to the George Washington Bridge, saying the information could be vital to her defense. Attorney Michael Critchley, representing… Read the rest of this entry »

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Feds fight news media request to unseal Bridgegate records

NEWARK — The U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking a federal judge to maintain the seal and redactions on certain records the government gathered in the George Washington Bridge lane closure criminal case, court records filed Tuesday night show. In particular, the brief filed by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman’s office states that news outlets covering the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Bridgegate Defendants Can Subpoena Christie’s Documents

Bridget Ann Kelly, texting, with Governor Chris Christie and Michelle Brown at Seaside Park fire, September 12, 2013, photo by Phil Stilton

NEWARK–A federal judge gave the green light to lawyers for defendants in the George Washington bridge scandal to subpoena documents from the law firm hired by Gov. Chris Christie’s office to investigate the lane closures in 2013. During a hearing over pretrial motions Friday in federal court, U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton rejected a defense request… Read the rest of this entry »

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Bridgegate scandal defendants ask judge to throw out case

NEWARK — The lawyers for Bridgegate defendants Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni urged a federal judge Monday to throw out the cases against the former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, saying federal prosecutors stretched the law too far. In court papers filed late Monday, the lawyers argued impeding traffic flow is not a… Read the rest of this entry »

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