Wildstein's lawyer just offered his testimony in exchange for immunity.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

"You want this information. I'm giving you a way to get it." (Paraphrased)

This right after they found Wildstein in contempt.

[Historic NY]

1. Humm, immunity implies your client is guilty as sin.

[louis-t]

3. And it implies that he has something to tell.

Buh bye Christie.

[beac]

5. I think there is no question that Wildstein IS guilty as sin.

The real question is whether he will take the fall for Christie and LIE once he has immunity.

[Cha]

25. Zactly.. they could have this

cooked up in advance.. or not.

[beac]

2. So, the lawyer DOESN'T agree that any testimony Wildstein would give to the committee couldn't be

used against him in a criminal prosecution but he DOES think any immunity the committee would give his client would cover such prosecutions?

[think4yourself]

4. Saw that!

Then my computer instantly crashed! They have the goods on Chris. This just got real.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. "This just got real." Yep, pretty much my reaction. nt

[warrior1]

6. I'm never going to get

anything done today.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

8. Next headline should be Wildstein's arrest on midemeanor contempt. nt

[Jim Lane]

21. I disagree. I think his lawyer is right about the Fifth Amendment.

The general rule is:
* In a criminal case against you, you can't be compelled to testify.
* In some other forum, you can't be compelled to testify in a way that might incriminate you in a criminal case against you (even a case that as of now is purely hypothetical).

That privilege under the Constitution trumps any committee rules (and, for that matter, any statutes passed by the New Jersey Legislature or by the U.S. Congress). The government of New Jersey is not allowed to arrest him for permissibly invoking a Constitutional right.

The only serious issue is whether he waived the privilege at some point. My initial impression, based on only vague knowledge of the facts and hazy recollection of the waiver rules, is that he did not.

[Dawgs]

9. No shit. Can't look away. n/t

[davidpdx]

23. Same here

Goofing around on DU is much more fun then doing what you are suppose to be doing.

Have a couple beers.

[abakan]

10. Wildstein is no Scooter Libby.....

He will probably not bite the bullet for Christie, as Scooter did for Cheney...

[musiclawyer]

11. You don't want immunity unless you have something real to offer

A real defense lawyer will not stay on-board for perjury . Not to say the lawyer is not a criminal -criminal lawyer. But that's not the type you hire in this type of case. So yeah, it goes higher up. Who is left up the food chain? Christie will not even make it out the first three state primaries if he even runs

[justiceischeap]

13. Bridget Kelly would be higher than this guy, I think. nt

[SodoffBush]

14. Wildstein is an old HS buddy of Christy's.

They go back a long way, and Christy has basically given him the finger. He can double-score now. Get Christy and immunity.

[lindysalsagal]

20. Yup. There's tthe smoking gun. he's got proof. n/tt.

[pnwmom]

28. Why wouldn't you want immunity regardless?

If you were guilty, wouldn't you want immunity before you'd go before a hearing and say, "yeah, I admit it. It was all my idea. Christie didn't know a thing."

What assurance could the prosecutor have that this wouldn't happen?

[JNelson6563]

12. Who could have seen this coming????

You know, besides everyone.

Is it just me or is this getting better by the hour?

Julie

[MoonRiver]

19. Not just you!

[dballance]

15. Wildestien better have a protection plan.

He could end up missing or something accidentally killing him.

[Kingofalldems]

16. Unless promises were made, which I suspect happened.

I also suspect people in the conservative/GOP hierarchy would have something to say on this. It's my feeling Christie is their boy and they don't want to lose him.

[renate]

17. oh sweet

I didn't see this earlier... thanks!

[Javaman]

18. do you have a link for this? nt

[davidpdx]

22. Don't give it to the weasel

[Cha]

24. And, Christie doesn't know him so he won't be "offended",

right?

[riversedge]

26. There was no context to Wildstein's "Got it" txt comment per Sen Loretta Weinberg

from NJ. She was on Maddow show tonight and says it all sounds fishy. She represents Fort Lee, NJ and is a Democrat.

[riversedge]

27. The Transportation Chair plans on a superna for Bridget Kelly per

the Maddow show tonight.

State Rep Wisniewski D, NJ is the Chair. More to come

[BobUp]

29. Wildstein's lawyer just offered his testimony in exchange for immunity.

Um, sure, anything you want....

[Gothmog]

30. The e-mails that were produced were redacted to encourage an immunity grant

I am becoming convinced that the documents produced by Wildstein were edited and redacted to encourage an offer of immunity. Just enough was released to tell the world that he has the goods on Christie and will talk if granted immunity