I am retracting this story with apologies as I see no second source, or even mention of it by 11:37 p.m. The "supposed" NJSpotlight story must be a punk, as it is inconceivable to me that this news could be a real annoucement last night of the NJ Senate co-chair of the investigative committee Robert Gorden announcing that the Governor's office was not going to allow its members to testify, without dozens of other news organizations reporting it by now. My deepest apologies. I started another post announcing this retraction, and will report progress in investigating what happened there.
As of now, however, I believe I have been duped and reported a false story, which regrettable made it to our Daily Kos rec board. I am very sorry.
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Update: I see no other source picking up this story by 11:00 pm EST, which is inexplicable. I hope I do not have to retract this story, reported late last night by NJSpotlight which still has it up. I am investigating this and will report back as soon as I can figure out what is going on. Sorry, if I jumped the gun on this report.
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The NJSpotlight is just breaking a story reporting that Senator Robert Gordon, chairmen of the legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closures announced tonight that Christie's office has informed them that they will not allow any members of its office to testify before the committee, in Gordon: Governor’s Office Refuses To Appear Before Legislative Committee. So much for "full cooperation."
In an announcement that could set the stage for a constitutional showdown, the Christie administration informed Sen. Robert Gordon (D-Bergen), chairman of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, that it is Christie administration policy that no members of the governor’s office are allowed to appear before legislative committees.
“This is a Christie administration policy. There was no such policy before this in previous administrations,” Gordon said yesterday on the eve of his committee hearing focusing on the months of delays by the Department of Community Affairs in getting $600 million in Sandy aid out to homeowners. “This is a huge disadvantage for our inquiry when so many of the decisions are made in the governor’s office.”
It would be an even larger disadvantage for the Joint Legislative Select Committee on Investigation that is probing the Bridgegate scandal, considering that 10 subpoenas issued by the panel -- including three new subpoenas issued yesterday -- went to current members of the governor’s office and two to former governor’s aides who have since been fired or resigned.
Bill Stepien's lawyer also reiterated his intention not to comply with the subpoena. The committee voted this morning authorizing their attorney to use whatever legal means necessary to force compliance.
This Nixononian escalation by the Governor is bound to provoke much protestation after his earlier pledge to cooperate fully with the committee's investigation.
8:03 AM PT: I just woke up and am surprised I am not seeing this story on all the headlines. In fact, I do not yet see a second source other than the NJ Spotlight, which is very suspicious. I hope I have not made an error here. I am researching this now and will get back to you soon.