Christie Aides Don't Have to Comply with Bridgegate Subpoenas, Judge Rules 4-10-14

[mother earth]

http://www.governing.com/news/headlines/Christie-Aides-Dont-Have-to-Comply-with-Bridgegate-Subpoenas-Judge-Rules.html

Two figures central to the state Legislature's investigation of the George Washington Bridge lane closings do not have to turn over records related to the scandal, a state judge ruled today, handing Democrats leading the inquiry a major defeat.


In a thorough dissection of the arguments made by the committee leading the investigation, state Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson found no basis to force Bridget Anne Kelly, Gov. Chris Christie's former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Stepien, his two-time campaign manager, to comply with its subpoenas.


The pair objected to the requests, issued in January, because they argued identifying and turning over records would violate their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. They called the committee's requests a fishing expedition. Jacobson agreed.


"While legislative committees in New Jersey have broad powers ... they do not have the authority to abrogate the Fifth Amendment," Jacobson wrote, later adding, "The subpoenas would require compelled testimonial evidence from Ms. Kelly and Mr. Stepien and thus run afoul of defendants' privilege against self-incrimination."


The 98-page decision was a major setback for the legislative investigation because its leaders considered the records held by Kelly and Stepien to be critical to understanding the politically charged motivations behind the September lane closings.


The scandal exploded in January when an e-mail from Kelly stating, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," first linked the closings to Christie's office.

View Full Story from the Newark Star-Ledger

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He's innocent of course, so says the report of his taxpayer paid and self-appointed legal team.

Nothing to see here, folks, our taxpayer money is good for funding one-sided investigations, bail outs and wars, justice OTOH seems not only blind, but is wearing golden handcuffs supplied by the Adelson's and Koch Bros. of our time, where true power resides.

Now, go back and enjoy the jobless recovery, soon it is time for a congressional break...after two more weeks, it will be back to cutting and gutting everything but the MIC.

[C_U_L8R]

1. Don't those communications belong to the state?

Couldn't they should just ask for their property back.

[Rex]

2. LOL! So out of one side of their mouth they plead the fifth

and out of the other side of their mouth they call this a fishing expedition!