Christie seen innocent in 'Bridgegate', says an internal report

Reuters cited a New York Times report, which said an internal review reportedly ordered by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie about the traffic lane closures at George Washington Bridge last September turned out that the potential Republican presidential contender has no involvement in the scandal. The Times said that the review, which cost over a million dollars in legal fees backed by taxpayer money, involved 70 interviews over a two-month span. The review was seen as Christie's attempt to bolster his innocence in his staff members' involvement in the lane closures.

Last year, Christie was put front and center when emails revealed the involvement of two of his former senior aides in the bridge lane closures allegedly done as a political retribution against a Democratic mayor who failed to endorse the New Jersey governor's re-election, Reuters said. State lawmakers and the US Attorney's office in New Jersey had already announced investigations into the bridge closure scandal, which have marred Christie's chances at getting in the White House.

On the other hand, The Times said that Christie's internal review is expected to meet criticism as the review was done by a law firm who has close ties with his administration, private law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Lawyer Randy Mastro, who led the internal review, was quoted as saying that the team had unprecedented access to Christie and his office's communication and record files. Moreover, Mastro had said that the governor turned over his iPhone and telephone records, and had investigators go over his government and private emails.

On the other hand, Reuters said that Mastro's team did not access three of the Bridgegate's central figures, which include Christie's former deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly. Kelly had sent an email indicating that they will create traffic problems in Fort Lee, where the bridge is located.

Tags

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, George Washington Bridge scandal

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