Emails have surfaced showing that some of N.J. Gov. Chris Christie’s top administrative staffers and appointees may have purposely tried to create a traffic jam on a specific section of roadway as a revenge plot against the Fort Lee mayor.
NorthJersey.com reported the messages were between Mr. Christie’s deputy chief of staff and two of his top Port Authority officials. And they revealed a plot to create “traffic problems in Fort Lee” with the shuttering of lanes by the George Washing Bridge, the media outlet reported.
Peppered among the discussed plans were various insults at Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, who did not endorse Mr. Christie for re-election.
The Record reported that the messages belie Mr. Christie’s claims that the lanes to the bridge were shuttered by the Port Authority as part of a traffic study. Rather, the messages implicate one of Mr. Christie’s top aides in the lane closure decision – and that the aide’s involvement was due to political reasons and the desire to impose punishment on the mayor.
One of the messages from Bridget Anne Kelly, a deputy on Mr. Christie’s staff, to a top Port Authority official appointed by Mr. Christie: “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” NorthJersey.com reported. In response, the Port Authority official, David Wildstein, wrote back: “Got it.” Mr. Wildstein was also the official who actually ordered the road closures. He resigned last month, as the scandal came to light – and as Mr. Christie was pushed into defense mode.
NorthJersey.com reported other associates tied to Mr. Christie’s administration involved in the messaging were Bill Stephien, Mr. Christie’s reelection campaign manager, and Michael Drewniak, Mr. Christie’s spokesman.
Mr. Christie has denied on previous occasions that anyone on his staff or in his campaign had been involved in the road closures.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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