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Wildstein’s attorney: ‘Evidence exists’ that Chris Christie knew of lane closings
(MyCentralJersey) – There is evidence that Gov. Chris Christie knew of the George Washington Bridge access lane closings as they were happening, says a lawyer for the former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official blamed for the politically motivated incident.
A letter from David Wildstein’s attorney says “evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the Governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference he gave immediately before Mr. Wildstein was scheduled to appear before the Transportation Committee.”
“Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some,” the letter also reads.
The letter, from attorney Alan Zegas and addressed to the Port Authority, seeks a reconsideration of the authority’s decision to not pay Wildstein’s legal fees. Zegas’ letter sent shock waves through New Jersey’s political community, with one veteran pundit saying the revelation was a “bombshell.”
Letter From Wildstein’s Lawyer on Lane Closings
(NY Times) – Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey knew about the lane closings as they were happening, a letter released on Friday by the lawyer of David Wildstein said.
Subsequent to Mr. Wildstein testifying, there have been reports that certain Commissioners of the Port Aothority have been connected directly or indirectly to land deals involving the Port Authority, that Port Authority funds were allocated to projects connected to persons who supported the administration of Governor Chris Christie or whose political support he sought, with some of the projects having no relationship to the business of the Port Authority, and that Port Authority funds were held back from those who refused to support the Governor.
It has also come to light that a person within the Christie administration communicated the Christie administration’s order that certain lanes on the George Washington Bridge were to be closed, and evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the Governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conferernce he gave immediately before Mr. Wildstein was scheduled to appear before the Transportation Committee. Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the Governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some.
- From BooMan’s fp story – What It’s Come to in the Garden State, posts on above topic here.
Wait though, does this mean he is threatening to talk unless the PA pays him off? If he succeeds in extorting the attorney fees he will hold his disclosures and Christie will get off on this count?
Wildstein (and his attorney) would have to be dumb and/or naive to write a letter to the Port Authority requesting payment of Wildstein’s attorney fees. It would be criminal if it were an extortion letter as you’ve suggested.
Wildstein is apparently not only not dumb but very smart. He and his attorney played the only public card available to them to further his attempts to get immunity. Superficially the letter is a request for reconsideration of the Port Authority’s decision not to cover Wildstein’s legal fees. At this point, it would be ludicrous for the Port Authority to cover his legal fees. The letter does put other senior people at the Port Authority on notice that Wildstein is not going down alone. And informs Christie that he has evidence that Christie lied on the occasions when he said that he only learned of the toll closings after the event.
Ah, now, that makes some sense. Thanks.
Added Scott Raab’s take on this to my BridgeTroll diary. It’s more complete but similar to what I said. Key point:
<blockquote.Clearly, Wildstein will [play hardball] — he truly has no other choice, unless he wants to be the fall guy.</blockquote>