This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/chris-christie-federal-judge-bridgegate-investigation-notes

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chris Christie: judge orders release of Bridgegate investigation notes Chris Christie: judge orders release of Bridgegate investigation notes
(35 minutes later)
The law firm that wrote a report clearing New Jersey governor Chris Christie in the George Washington bridge lane-closing scandal has been ordered to turn over any handwritten notes or recordings of interviews it conducted with dozens of administration officials.The law firm that wrote a report clearing New Jersey governor Chris Christie in the George Washington bridge lane-closing scandal has been ordered to turn over any handwritten notes or recordings of interviews it conducted with dozens of administration officials.
Related: Chris Christie enters presidential race: 'I am now ready to fight for the people'Related: Chris Christie enters presidential race: 'I am now ready to fight for the people'
A federal judge on Friday granted the request from two former allies of Christie – now a declared candidate for the Republican presidential nomination – who are under indictment for their alleged roles in the scandal.A federal judge on Friday granted the request from two former allies of Christie – now a declared candidate for the Republican presidential nomination – who are under indictment for their alleged roles in the scandal.
The request seeks notes from more than 70 interviews conducted for the report that was released last year by Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. Christie hired the firm at taxpayer expense.The request seeks notes from more than 70 interviews conducted for the report that was released last year by Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. Christie hired the firm at taxpayer expense.
In a letter, the firm asked US district court judge Susan Wigenton to deny the request.In a letter, the firm asked US district court judge Susan Wigenton to deny the request.
The judge, though, said the firm’s objections were “premature”, noting that a “proper motion to quash or modify the subpoena is not currently before this court”. Because of that, the judge said she did not address the merits of the firm’s arguments.The judge, though, said the firm’s objections were “premature”, noting that a “proper motion to quash or modify the subpoena is not currently before this court”. Because of that, the judge said she did not address the merits of the firm’s arguments.
The defendants’ lawyers had made a valid request and that the request was not merely a “fishing expedition”, the judge said. Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher has 45 days to file a motion with the court or hand over the information to the lawyers for Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, who have both pleaded not guilty. The defendants’ lawyers had made a valid request and that request was not merely a “fishing expedition”, the judge said. Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher has 45 days to file a motion with the court or hand over the information to the lawyers for Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, who have both pleaded not guilty.
The firm did not respond to emails and a telephone message seeking comment.The firm did not respond to emails and a telephone message seeking comment.
In a related matter, the Record newspaper reported that the state would not pay for Kelly’s legal bills. Her attorney had claimed that she was being treated differently from other state employees who, like her, all believed it was a traffic study that caused the lane closings. In a related matter, the Record newspaper reported that the state would not pay for Kelly’s legal bills. Her attorney had said that she was being treated differently from other state employees who, like her, all believed it was a traffic study that caused the lane closings.
Related: Bridgegate scandal: Christie aides indicted as David Wildstein pleads guiltyRelated: Bridgegate scandal: Christie aides indicted as David Wildstein pleads guilty
The “Bridgegate” scandal grew out of the September 2013 closure of traffic lanes leading on to the George Washington bridge, which connects New Jersey with the northern end of Manhattan. The closures, which caused massive traffic problems, were allegedly implemented as payback to the mayor of Fort Lee, who had not backed Christie for re-election.The “Bridgegate” scandal grew out of the September 2013 closure of traffic lanes leading on to the George Washington bridge, which connects New Jersey with the northern end of Manhattan. The closures, which caused massive traffic problems, were allegedly implemented as payback to the mayor of Fort Lee, who had not backed Christie for re-election.
David Wildstein, a former executive of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in May, shortly before an indictment against Kelly and Baroni was unsealed.David Wildstein, a former executive of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in May, shortly before an indictment against Kelly and Baroni was unsealed.
The details of the state’s decision and the legal fight with Kelly’s lawyers were made public on Friday, after the Record obtained the documents related to Kelly’s request as well as correspondence between her attorney and state officials through an Open Public Records Act request.The details of the state’s decision and the legal fight with Kelly’s lawyers were made public on Friday, after the Record obtained the documents related to Kelly’s request as well as correspondence between her attorney and state officials through an Open Public Records Act request.