The Democratic National Committee called on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to step down as transition chairman to Republican nominee Donald Trump Friday after a jury convicted two of the governor’s former aides in the “Bridgegate” scandal of political payback.
“Today’s verdict confirms that top staff to Chris Christie led a scheme that put people’s lives in danger for the governor’s personal political retribution,” said DNC spokesman Mark Paustenbach. “How can Trump trust Christie’s judgment to hire the key staff for his administration if four of his top aides have been found guilty of federal crimes? Governor Christie needs to immediately step down as Trump’s transition chair and cancel his remaining appearances on behalf of the Trump campaign.”
A federal jury convicted Bridget Kelly, Mr. Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, the governor’s appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, of creating an infamous traffic jam at the George Washington Bridge in what prosecutors say was a case of political revenge, capping a trial that has eroded Mr. Christie’s political fortunes. They were found guilty of all counts against them in the plot to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for failing to endorse Mr. Christie for re-election in 2013.
Mr. Christie has insisted he knew nothing about the traffic lane closures, but testimony during the six-week trial cast doubt on his assertions. The governor’s approval rating his plummeted to a new low in the state as the trial wrapped up.
Mr. Christie is planning to campaign for Mr. Trump in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania this weekend, as the presidential race reaches its climax.
Mr. Paustenbach said trial testimony indicates “this is clearly not the end of the road for exposing more of Governor Christie’s involvement.”
“The fact that Christie’s name is frequently floated as a potential Attorney General in a Trump administration should tell you all you need to know about Trump’s tolerance for unethical behavior,” he said. “By continuing to employ and stand by Governor Christie, Donald Trump’s promises to ’drain the swamp’ ring hollow.”
The most serious charges against Kelly and Baroni carry up to 20 years in prison. The judge set sentencing for Feb. 21.
The jury took five days to reach a verdict in the scandal that helped sink Mr. Christie’s own campaign for president in the GOP primary. Kelly and Baroni were convicted of working with David Wildstein, a former Christie ally who has pleaded guilty, to get retribution on the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, which is located at the base of the major bridge into New York City.
Wildstein was a star witness for the prosecution.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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