Chris Christie Knew About Bridge Lane Closings as They Happened, Prosecutors Say

[brooklynite]

Source: The New York Times

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey knew that his close associates were involved in a plan to shut down lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge as it was happening and that the closings were intended to punish a local mayor for declining to support him, prosecutors said on Monday.

It was the first time Mr. Christie, a Republican, has been accused of knowing about the scheme as it unfolded.

The prosecutors made the assertion during opening statements in the trial of two former Christie administration officials charged with closing the lanes in 2013 and then covering it up.

Mr. Christie has insisted that he had no knowledge of the plot to close the lanes, and said that he did not recall being told about the closings while they were happening.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/nyregion/bridgegate-trial.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

[Botany]

1. Of course he knew

The GWB is the most used bridge in America and the idea that the Governor of one of the
states that it is on did not know about the bridge shut down and the people behind it is
laughable on face value.

Bridget Anne Kelly's desk was a few steps from Gov. Christie's office and I really doubt that
she closed down the GWB on her own.



Chrisite w/Bridget Anne Kelly as she was texting Bill Baroni about the then on going shut down of
the GWB. i want to see how tough Christie is when he is being cross examined in court.

BTW does anybody Chistie @ the RNC speaking about all of HRC's crimes as the delegates
chanted, "Lock her up?"

[riversedge]

2. yes. Christie was 'in the loop'!!!

[Stuart G]

3. You said it all............"Of course he knew"

and jail time for him....

[Botany]

7. Port Authority cops told people who were stuck in traffic that the bridge lanes were shut ....

.... down under orders from the Mayor of Ft. Lee, N.J.. Who told them to say that?

[wordpix]

24. I guarantee he knew, just as he knew he was withholding fed $ for Hurricane Sandy

victims if certain mayors would not back him for re-election.

[karynnj]

30. Not to mention, given the importance of that bridge and the dangers to the town,

a good governor would be on the phone with state police asking why there was a problem and asking they do what they could to fix it. Remember this went on for a few days.

[Botany]

47. The GWB is the busiest bridge in America and Christie did not know?

2 choices:

He knew and is guilty of a # of different crimes

He did not know and so he is unqualified to be Governor of N.J..

[karynnj]

50. Completely agree

For non tri-state people, there is a permanent information sign that gives the current average wait on the lower and upper bridges. It is rarely a quick drive from NJ - NY or the other way around.

For Fort Lee, cars piling up to go across the bridge soon created absolute grid lock.

I still find it hard to believe that a governor - out of petty anger that a Democratic mayor would not endorse him - would cause so much pain for so many people who were his constiuents - even as one of his minions pointed out that they "didn't vote for him."

[Tortmaster]

53. If she wants to take a sabbatical from her kids ...

... she can ignore the plea deal and go under the bus for Chris Christie. Not what I would advise her to do.

[Liberal_in_LA]

55. plus one hundred

[ailsagirl]

59. Exactly what I said to myself when I read this thread title n/t

[yellowcanine]

4. Time for some impeachment problems in Trenton.....

[wordpix]

35. DUZY

[2naSalit]

52. I second that DUZY!!

[barbtries]

5. nothing i know of has occurred to change my opinion

that it was his idea. jmo

[bigdarryl]

6. So why the fuck isn't he being prosecuted

[Orsino]

14. Cases take time to build. Longer when people won't talk.

Prosecutors taking advantage of apparent rifts must have uncovered some newer info, if they feel confident enough to say it on the record.

[wordpix]

36. Crispie leading w/ lots of people below involved - what could go wrong?

[SticksnStones]

17. Interesting reporting on the legal strategy of unindicted co-conspirators at nj.com

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/09/a_prediction_christies_political_life_ends_with_br.html

Remember the "unindicted co-conspirators" -- all of whom remain anonymous for now, but could be identified during the trial.

The first question is this: Why weren't these people indicted if they took part in the conspiracy?

There are several reasons. Prosecutors might not think the evidence is strong enough to convict; some might be cooperating with prosecutors; and some might have played such a small role prosecutors exercised discretion by not charging them.

So why identify them as co-conspirators in the first place? It's a subtle legal strategy.

The reason is that witnesses can testify about statements they hear from unindicted co-conspirators. Second-hand accounts like that are usually excluded as hearsay, but this is an exception.

So, a hypothetical: If Wildstein testified about a statement the governor made, that would normally be excluded as hearsay. But if the governor were an unindicted co-conspirator, it would be allowed. That's when the public would learn the identities of these unnamed conspirators.

[Enrique]

45. interesting: the jury was instructed not to ask your question

The prosecutor, Vikas Khanna, instantly advised the jury that it should not consider the actions of “others” or wonder why they were not charged.

"others" being the governor...

[PearliePoo2]

8. Nail this creep! Remember, an elderly woman died before EMTs could get to her.

In another instance, EMTs had to abandon their vehicle and go on foot to assist others in need.
Fuck Christie. I hope he goes to prison for a long, long time.

K& and "hearty" R!

[The Wielding Truth]

26. I hadn't heard of anyone dying because of the closing. Christie's revenge cost an innocent life?

Maybe a charge of intentional related death from consequential repercussions should be made.

[wordpix]

37. yes and there were children stuck on school buses

Also, I think first responders and medical professionals stuck, can't get to work and can't get to patients.

[chillfactor]

51. yes... i remember

hearing about a woman who died because help could not get to her in time.

[Sunlei]

9. That's why he got rid of those two 'administration officials' so quickly.

[chelsea0011]

10. Is he expected to testify?

[Yallow]

11. Somebody Talked

And disclosed what everyone already knew.

[Auggie]

19. I guess so. I'm curious who talked and how prosecutors will prove of his knowledge.

[Democat]

12. Christie is hoping for a Trump pardon

He should be tied to Trump as another crook.

[wordpix]

25. Christie was US Attorney under * during some of Trump's NJ bankruptcies

Crispie was also a lobbyist on behalf of, among others, "the Securities Industry Association to block the inclusion of securities fraud under the state's Consumer Fraud Act" at the same time Trump was in the NJ casino biz, going bankrupt 6 times. Trump basically defrauded investors over a billion $ and screwed contractors with all those bankruptcies, walking away with million$ while they got pennies on the dollar if they got paid at all.

Putting these dots together, no doubt Crispie did some "favors" for Trump during those bankruptcy years.

Q: how much $$ did Trump give to Crispie's election campaigns?

Check it!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Christie

snip: Enforcement record

Christie served as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in New Jersey from January 17, 2002, to December 1, 2008. His office included 137 attorneys, with offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden. Christie also served on the 17-member Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys for Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales. snip

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump

Business bankruptcies

Although Trump has never filed for personal bankruptcy, hotel and casino businesses of his have been declared bankrupt four times between 1991 and 2009 to re-negotiate debt with banks and owners of stock and bonds.[68][69] Because the businesses used Chapter 11 bankruptcy, they were allowed to operate while negotiations proceeded. Trump was quoted by Newsweek in 2011 saying, "I do play with the bankruptcy laws—they're very good for me" as a tool for trimming debt.[70][71] snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/nyregion/donald-trump-atlantic-city.html?_r=0

How Donald Trump Bankrupted His Atlantic City Casinos, but Still Earned Millions

By RUSS BUETTNER and CHARLES V. BAGLIJUNE 11, 2016

snip: “Atlantic City fueled a lot of growth for me,” Mr. Trump said in an interview in May, summing up his 25-year history here. “The money I took out of there was incredible.” snip

But even as his companies did poorly, Mr. Trump did well. He put up little of his own money, shifted personal debts to the casinos and collected millions of dollars in salary, bonuses and other payments. The burden of his failures fell on investors and others who had bet on his business acumen. snip

During a decade when other casinos here thrived, Mr. Trump’s lagged, posting huge losses year after year. Stock and bondholders lost more than $1.5 billion. snip

Note: I am saying bankrupt 6x as that was a report from PBS experts who were interviewed by Judy Woodruff earlier this month.

[PearliePoo2]

48. Nice work you did here.

[They_Live]

58. Thanks for connecting those dots!

I understand a lot more than a I did before. crooks!

[George II]

13. This trial will tie up all the loose ends and more than just implicate Christie.

[wordpix]

38. with all the different plea deals, more info will out

If Christie's underlings haven't said enough already, they will.

[mainstreetonce]

15. Lock him up

Bigly

[Mc Mike]

16. Lock him up!

[wordpix]

43. yes we can, si se puede

[Mc Mike]

63. Venceremos.

[Angry Dragon]

27. yes

[PearliePoo2]

18. Time for a prison food diet Chris!

Hope you're sweating bullets, you arrogant vindictive slob.

Cheers, asshole!

[wordpix]

39. he'll love it, he's used to bad food so white bread bologna sandwiches

will suit him fine.

[erronis]

49. Not sure being a plaything will be all that enjoyable

Especially if his fellow hotel residents have some antagonism towards this huge, unpleasant, white f*cker. And who wouldn't, except the rest of their cronies. Rikers would be way too nice.

[procon]

20. Am I remembering correctly that Christie isn't a defendant in this case?

Is either side likely to be call him as a witness, and wouldn't sworn testimony reveal that he was a known participant, if not the mastermind? Then wouldn't he face his own federal charges under a new trial, right?

[wordpix]

40. Yes I think that's how it goes

and federal is correct as the Brilliant Plan involved both NY and NJ, plus it's a major hwy interchange. All those interchanges in the NJ-NYC area are difficult to negotiate if you're not used to them. Screw Christie, he's another one like Trump who only cares about himself.

[solara]

21. Where are the indictments?

Are they gonna let Christie slide just because he is Trump's Tool? For once could one of these asshole bullies reap the consequences of their illegal and unconscionable actions?

or will the obviously biased media find a way to blame Hillary for this?

[wordpix]

44. I first read this as Christie is Trump's Fool

not Tool. They both work.

[Vinca]

22. So when's the perp walk? He should be charged, too.

[wordpix]

41. maybe the fools haven't sung enough yet

[WhiteHat]

23. Of course Christie knew all about it

If the Federal Prosecution can prove it, We the People can score a win. If not, it will be a major failure of justice.

Nothing in their history would suggest that Christie's lackeys would dare to take this sort of initiative on their own. They were LACKEYS, depending on Christie for their entire livelihoods. They did what they believed Christie wanted them to do, whether they heard it from him personally or indirectly, from more senior lackeys.

In either case they did it to further Christie's political agenda, since there is no other possible explanation/justification for paralyzing traffic with a proven-fraudulent "traffic study."

The Port Authority of New York is about to fall under Federal management, whether or not they catch the filthy criminal at the head of this particular debacle.

Let's see just how long the criminal Christie can avoid justice with legal maneuvering. It will tell We the People just how truly fucked we are by a bought-and-paid-for legal system.

My bet: Christie gets off without jail time, "punished" only by a loss of opportunity to butt-fuck all of America as he has done New Jersey.

Ah, justice. Gawd save us from the American legal system, where true Justice is only an accidental by-product of the practice of The Law.

[wordpix]

32. I believe Christie & Trump go way back to T's bankruptcies in NJ

The time frame of Christie working as a US Att'y-NJ under GWBush and Trump's 4-6 Atlantic City bankruptcies is congruent for part of Christie's tenure.

[wordpix]

33. I'm dealing with the legal system now - local environmental case

Totally fucked system but I think our group got a fair judge. He is not rushing anything, either. That's a good sign. Let the developers fume that they can't so easily despoil-to-get-rich-quick, at least while we're in court.

[saltpoint]

28. There's the folk tale of George Washington

never telling a lie.

"Yes, father, it was I who chopped down the cherry tree."

Looks as if some other folks know what Christie said he didn't know, even when he did know. Could be a problem if Christie's fingerprints are on the axe used to fell the cherry tree.

[LiberalLovinLug]

29. infuriating how these people can drag this out until it becomes "old news"

He should have resigned or been forced out immediately. There was enough witness evidence back then. High priced lawyers is the reason I'd guess, wanting to milk this for all its worth, and more.

[wordpix]

34. they have to make their separate deals b/c lots of people involved

[yuiyoshida]

31. Is ANYTHING GOING TO HAPPEN to him?

He's a Republican. THE answer now is NO... no prosecution, no slap on the hand, no Jail sentences. He's a criminal who got away with the perfect crime, no, no one will lift a finger to indite him.

[Tortmaster]

54. Something like 90% of criminal cases are ...

... disposed of with plea deals. Wildstein has already pled guilty, but that leaves Kelly and Baroni. I would say that the odds are in favor of Kelly taking a plea sometime during the trial. Right now, she wants to stand by her man, but she will have an opportunity to see how bad the evidence is against her before making that decision. I'm sure the prosecutor is demanding that she testify against Christie as part of any plea deal.

Bridget Kelly also has 4 children. She stands a very good chance of being away from them while they grow up if she doesn't take the deal. Just my guess.

[wordpix]

42. Christie "totally knew about it,"---Trump 12/2015

But now they are married and I think this has to do with Trump's NJ bankruptcies.

[Enrique]

46. "they went hunting for whales"

The government, the defense lawyers asserted, was blaming their clients for actions that had been sanctioned at a higher level.

“They went hunting for whales,” Mr. Critchley said, then pointed to his client, a 44-year-old mother of four. “They settled for a minnow.”

[wheniwasincongress]

56. "Whales?" subtle!

[rocktivity]

57. Knew?

Last edited Tue Sep 20, 2016, 05:41 PM - Edit history (2)

He probably helped engineer it. But if you believe the team of Baroni, Wildstein and Kelly acted without his blessing or knowledge, I have a bridge in Brooklyn you may want to buy.

Get up to speed at DUer Laxman's Christie Crime Digest:

Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3 | Vol.4


[img][/img]
rocknation

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

60. Christie's ratings are down there below 25%

Below 25% favorable is political poverty,that means poor Christie means just that.He is in effect impoverished politically.Most recently he no doubt confessed to Trump the state of his affairs in office legally and his fear of the public demanding his resignation .
Christie knows it wouldn't be a first time a seating governor is run out of office by public outrage and demand.And he knows there is no way he can or will fight it off legally if and when it comes down to that.The Trump camp stating they will stand by Christie is designed to tell the public-no worries . But they are worried.

Everybody knows the way Trump is with his money. So the best Christie can hope for as the shit continues to hit the fan ,is that after he is forced to resign and in-turn is swamped in legal troubles money wise, for his fifteen years of pale-ship with Trump he does indeed hope Trump will run some funding campaign for Christie,s legal bills.

And until the people of New Jersey rise up and oust that bum ,he will continue to lie about it publicly.That is until he gets nailed.



And one more thing, the one time I can recall off hand Trump did not lie is when he said Christie totally knew about the traffic jam incident as it was happening and before that.

[wheniwasincongress]

61. from MAD magazine

[Bradical79]

62. Any chance Christie gets indicted?

[rocktivity]

65. They've got him dead bang on obstruction

if it's true he told Cuomo to tell Patrick Foye to back off. And if not, the prosecution's got an ace in the hole -- Christie allowing David Samson to run the Port Authority while also running a law firm with clients who did business with the Port Authority!


rocktivity

[yorkie77]

64. New York Magazine

Big article about it in this week's issue

[GOLGO 13]

66. All the lawyers in this case have no interest in helping Christie stay out of this. LOL!

In fact it's just the opposite. Both side want to see Christie take a huge hit for it. What a wild case this is going to be...hopefully.