TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on the Supreme Court agreeing to hear an appeal involving two people convicted in New Jersey’s “Bridgegate” scandal (all times local):
2:50 p.m.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he doesn’t think a crime was committed in the George Washington Bridge lane closure case.
The Republican former governor spoke Friday on ABC after the Supreme Court announced it would hear an appeal.
The case involves former aide Bridget Kelly and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey appointee Bill Baroni.
Christie says he thinks the case was politically motivated. He wasn’t charged and has denied wrongdoing.
In statements, Kelly herself and Baroni’s attorney say they’re grateful the court will hear their case.
Baroni is serving an 18-month sentence. Kelly was due to report soon for her 13-mont sentence.
They were convicted in 2016 on wire fraud and other charges for their involvement in the political payback scheme.
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11 a.m.
The attorney for a defendant in the so-called Bridgegate scandal says the convicted felon is “unbelievably happy” the Supreme Court has agreed to hear her appeal.
Michael Critchley tells NJ.com that he had tears in his eyes Friday when he told Bridget Kelly of the court’s decision.
He says she’s “unbelievably happy” and added that to say they’re excited is an understatement.
Kelly was set to report for her 13-month sentence July 10.
She was convicted in 2016 on fraud and civil rights violations for realigning the lanes to the George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey and New York as part of a political payback scheme.
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9:45 a.m.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal involving two people convicted in New Jersey’s “Bridgegate” scandal.
The justices said Friday they would hear a case in the fall involving Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni. They were convicted in 2016 of fraud and civil rights violations for realigning the lanes to the George Washington Bridge without telling local officials. The realignment was done to punish Fort Lee’s Democratic mayor for not endorsing Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
An appeals court threw out their civil rights convictions last fall but upheld the fraud counts.
Kelly was Christie’s deputy chief of staff. Baroni was deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
11 a.m.
The attorney for a defendant in the so-called Bridgegate scandal says the convicted felon is “unbelievably happy” the Supreme Court has agreed to hear her appeal.
Michael Critchley tells NJ.com that he had tears in his eyes Friday when he told Bridget Kelly of the court’s decision.
He says she’s “unbelievably happy” and added that to say they’re excited is an understatement.
Kelly was set to report for her 13-month sentence July 10.
She was convicted in 2016 on fraud and civil rights violations for realigning the lanes to the George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey and New York as part of a political payback scheme.
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9:43 a.m.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal involving two people convicted in New Jersey’s “Bridgegate” scandal.
The justices said Friday they would hear a case in the fall involving Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni. They were convicted in 2016 of fraud and civil rights violations for realigning the lanes to the George Washington Bridge without telling local officials. The realignment was done to punish Fort Lee’s Democratic mayor for not endorsing Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
An appeals court threw out their civil rights convictions last fall but upheld the fraud counts.
Kelly was Christie’s deputy chief of staff. Baroni was deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
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