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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks about his knowledge of a traffic study that snarled traffic at the George Washington Bridge during a news conference on January 9, 2014.
A Port Authority official appointed by Gov. Chris Christie says the Republican presidential hopeful knew about the George Washington Bridge lane closings at the time of the shutdowns.
David Wildstein, through his attorney, released a letter claiming “evidence exists ... 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.”
Christie, in a two-hour news conference earlier this month, repeatedly denied any knowledge of the shutdown — which was purportedly payback against the Democratic Mayor of Fort Lee, N.J.
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The New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge, which connects Fort Lee, NJ, and New York City.
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The Bergen County official had declined to endorse Christie during his landslide re-election campaign last year.
Wildstein — a high school classmate of Christie — resigned his $150,00-a-year job as the Bridgegate scandal mushroomed.
James Keivom/New York Daily News
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie leaves after a visit with Fort Lee, N.J., Mayor Mark Sokolich at the Borough of Fort Lee Memorial Municipal Building earlier in January.
The bridge lanes were closed from Sept. 9-12 for the morning rush hour.
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Christie proclaimed his innocence and took a few shots at Wildstein during his news conference after emails linked the governor’s staff to the huge traffic tie-ups caused at the world’s busiest bridge.
Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
David Wildstein, the Former Port Authority Director of Interstate Capital Project David, through his lawyer said “evidence exists" that ties Gov. Christie to knowing about the lane closures.
“Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some,” the letter read.
The letter specifically blamed the bridge closing on “the Christie administration’s order.” It was sent to the Port Authority in an effort to get the bi-state agency to cover Wildstein’s legal bills in the case.
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Tim Larsen/Office of Gov. Chris Christie/AP
Christie pictured here with his former Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly. Christie fired Kelly in early January.
Christie’s office did not return an email seeking comment. Wildstein had previously said he was willing to testify if offered immunity in the various probes of Bridgegate.
Wildstein received an August letter from top Christie administration official Bridget Anne Kelly declaring it was “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”
She was fired by Christie for her role in the traffic nightmare.
Wildstein had previously taken the Fifth Amendment when called by a New Jersey legislative panel investigating the bridge lane closings.
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