As 'Bridgegate' trial begins, New Jersey's Christie remains focus

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS | Sun Sep 18, 2016 | 9:30am EDT

As 'Bridgegate' trial begins, New Jersey's Christie remains focus

By Joseph Ax | NEW YORK

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is not expected to attend the trial this week of two former associates charged in the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal, but the failed Republican presidential hopeful's shadow will loom over the proceedings.

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in federal court in Newark, New Jersey. Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly are charged with conspiracy and fraud in a nine-count indictment alleging they arranged lane closings that caused gridlock on the heavily traveled George Washington Bridge.

The resulting traffic delayed commuters for hours and left emergency vehicles slow in responding to 911 calls. Prosecutors said the two defendants planned the lane closures to take revenge on a mayor who refused to endorse Christie for re-election.

The governor, at one time a leading Republican presidential hopeful, has not been charged in the scandal that nevertheless helped torpedo his hopes for nomination to the White House in 2016.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-jersey-bridgegate-idUSKCN11O0BZ

[malaise]

1. Hope there is live coverage n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

2. He shut down a vital bridge for a petty grudge, endangering the lives of people in emerg. Vehicles,

Etc.

And this is the guy who demands the authority to march into legal marijuana states and throw all the pot smokers in prison.

[NBachers]

3. I'm sorry to see that none of them flipped over and ratted him out.

[UTUSN]

4. R#12 & K for, CHRISTIE *is* the focus!1 Take THAT, you Federal Prosecuter/YOU!1 n/t