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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Bridgegate co-conspirators to be ID’ed in sealed list

As the Bridgegate case works its way toward a trial date later in 2016, defendants Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly will begin the new year by learning who the government claims helped them cause mayhem in Fort Lee. In court papers filed last week, attorneys for Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port… Read the rest of this entry »

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Year in review: May 2015

Christine Giordano Hanlon dropped the “Acting” from her title and became Monmouth County Clerk when the NJ Senate unanimously confirmed her nomination to replace M.Claire French.  Hanlon was elected to her own five year term on November 3.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman cleared Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno in the allegations lodged at her by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer. Zimmer alleged that Guadagno delivered a message from Governor Chris Christie threatening to withhold Sandy relief funds if Hoboken did not approve a development application by the Rockefeller Group.

Former Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his convictions related to his acquisition of Burke Farm.

David Wildstein pleaded guilty in the Bridgegate scandal, claiming that the George Washington Bridge lane closures in September of 2013 were political retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for failing to endorse Governor Chris Christie’s reelection. Bridget Ann Kelly and Bill Baroni were indicted in the matter. Wildstein’s attorney claimed that Christie knew about the lane closures while they were occurring. Christie claimed that U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman’s indictment announcement cleared the governor of any wrong doing in the matter.

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Bridgegate scandal defendants say critical evidence being withheld

NEWARK–In the first defense motions challenging the evidence in the George Washington Bridge scandal, lawyers for two former allies of Gov. Chris Christie late Tuesday complained the government failed to produce “critical facts essential to their ability to prepare for trial.” They also said that the mountain of documents produced by the government against Bill Baroni,… Read the rest of this entry »

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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 »

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Wildstein makes new accusations against Christie

David Wildstein, the former Port Authority official who has pleaded guilty in the Bridgegate scandal, accused Governor Chris Christie of revealing secret Grand Jury testimony during a 2010 meeting about Port Authority Police leadership, a violation of federal law, according to a report in The New York Times.

In answering Interrogatories in a civil case unrelated to the George Washington Bridge closure, Wildstein swore that in June of 2010 Christie directed Port Authority to fire Arthur Cifelli, the agency’s Police Deputy Superintendent and to hire Jerry Speziale, then the Passaic County Sheriff to fill the post.

Wildstein alleged that Christie told those in the meeting that Cifelli had perjured himself in Grand Jury proceedings related to former Senate President John Lynch while Christie was U. S. Attorney.

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Bridgegate: Bill Baroni, Bridget Kelly indicted on 9 counts

Bridget Ann Kelly, texting, with Governor Chris Christie and Michelle Brown at Seaside Park fire, September 12, 2013.  Photo credit: Phil Stilton, OCSignal.com

NEWARK — Two key figures in the Bridgegate scandal — Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly — were each indicted on nine counts, according to court documents unsealed Friday. Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Kelly, a former deputy chief of staff of Gov. Chris… Read the rest of this entry »

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Wildstein’s Attorney: Christie knew of the lane closures while they were occurring

Alan Zegas, David Wildstein’s attorney, told the press today that Governor Chris Christie knew of the September 2013 George Washington Bridge Lane closures that have become known as Bridgegate while they were occurring.

“Mr. Christie know of the lane closures while they were occurring.  Evidence exists to establish that,” Zegas said.

Christie has steadfastly denied any knowledge of or involvement in the lane closures which Wildstein confessed today were designed as political retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich , a Democrat, for refusing to endorse Republican Christie’s reelection.

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Christie ally David Wildstein pleads guilty, says Bridgegate closures were retribution

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Bridgegate charges will be filed today

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman

There will be a proceeding of interest in a criminal matter related to the George Washington Bridge lane closures this morning at 11 a.m. in federal court in Newark and U. S. Attorney Paul Fishman will hold a press conference on the matter this afternoon at 1 PM, according to Fishman’s Public Information Office.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office did not announce who would be charged today or for what crimes.

NJ.com is reporting that a white SUV left the home of David Wildstein traveling at high speeds at 5 a.m. this morning. Bloomberg reported that Wildstein was to have pleaded guilty to charges yesterday.  They later amended their report to say he would enter a guilty plea today.

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