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Report: Christie not linked to bridge traffic scandal in federal investigation Report: Christie not linked to bridge traffic scandal in federal investigation
(about 5 hours later)
An ongoing federal investigation has uncovered no information that New Jersey governor Chris Christie was involved in planning or executing the politically motivated lane closures on a key bridge linking his state with New York, according to a report from NBC 4 New York.An ongoing federal investigation has uncovered no information that New Jersey governor Chris Christie was involved in planning or executing the politically motivated lane closures on a key bridge linking his state with New York, according to a report from NBC 4 New York.
The Justice Department is investigating Christie’s role into the September 2013 George Washington bridge lane closures in Fort Lee, which caused massive traffic jams for commuters. Federal officials, who were not named, told the news channel on Thursday that they have not found any information that Christie had advance knowledge of or direct involvement in the lane closures.The Justice Department is investigating Christie’s role into the September 2013 George Washington bridge lane closures in Fort Lee, which caused massive traffic jams for commuters. Federal officials, who were not named, told the news channel on Thursday that they have not found any information that Christie had advance knowledge of or direct involvement in the lane closures.
Asked about the report in a radio interview with New Jersey 101.5 on Thursday, Christie said:Asked about the report in a radio interview with New Jersey 101.5 on Thursday, Christie said:
I told the people of New Jersey directly and honestly on January 9 that I had no knowledge of this and no role of any kind in the planning or execution of it. And if this report is true, then I’m glad that there will be another source in addition to the master report and the legislative hearings, which have shown nothing different either, that vindicates what I said to them. Because what matters most to me is that the people of New Jersey know that I tell them the truth. I told the people of New Jersey directly and honestly on 9 January that I had no knowledge of this and no role of any kind in the planning or execution of it. And if this report is true, then I’m glad that there will be another source in addition to the master report and the legislative hearings, which have shown nothing different either, that vindicates what I said to them. Because what matters most to me is that the people of New Jersey know that I tell them the truth.
The motivation behind the closures is still being investigated. A prevailing theory is that the lane closures were engineered by loyalists to the governor to punish the mayor of the nearby town of Fort Lee, who failed to endorse Christie in his bid for re-election as governor of New Jersey. The realignment of access lanes caused days of traffic chaos in the area in September last year.The motivation behind the closures is still being investigated. A prevailing theory is that the lane closures were engineered by loyalists to the governor to punish the mayor of the nearby town of Fort Lee, who failed to endorse Christie in his bid for re-election as governor of New Jersey. The realignment of access lanes caused days of traffic chaos in the area in September last year.
Investigators warn that the inquiry, which began nine months ago, is still ongoing and “no final determination” has been made, the channel said. The probe will also look into how Port Authority funds were used. The scandal prompted several other state and federal inquiries.Investigators warn that the inquiry, which began nine months ago, is still ongoing and “no final determination” has been made, the channel said. The probe will also look into how Port Authority funds were used. The scandal prompted several other state and federal inquiries.
The scandal threatened to undermine the Republican governor’s 2016 presidential ambitions, but the findings could reinvigorate his chances.The scandal threatened to undermine the Republican governor’s 2016 presidential ambitions, but the findings could reinvigorate his chances.