In a sign that the U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman is finding sufficient reasons to continue the investigations into the allegations surrounding the lane closings of the GWB bridge, generally referred to as Bridgegate, the Star-Ledger is reporting that Federal prosecutors subpoena NJ bridge scandal legislative panel.
TRENTON — The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey has subpoenaed the state legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closings for all of its records related to the inquiry, the panel's two leaders said today.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) said in a statement the panel would "comply fully with the request" and turn over the thousands of pages of e-mails, text messages and other documents it has collected.
"This reaffirms our progress in uncovering important information about the apparent abuse of government power and threat to public safety," the lawmakers said. "Our committee will continue to cooperate with the federal authorities as we pursue the investigation.
The records are due to the U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman's office by May 2.
Legislatures issued subpoenas to Michael Drewniak, Christina Renna, Patrick Foye, and Willam Schuber.
Yes, I would agree with the Star-Ledger that I believe we can safely infer this is a sign that the Federal prosecutors have found sufficient reasons to move forward with the investigations.
Drip, drip, drip.
1:52 PM PT: Yesterday, Governor Christie exclaimed that the idea that a politician, like himself who had cooperated members of the other party, could have ever created an atmosphere of retaliation was ludicrous. He demanded that critics "Point to something factual — something —that proves that.”
In a scathing editorial today, the Star-Ledger directly refutes Christie's assertion saying not only is it not ludicrous to imaging that, but that the facts show that he did create such a culture of retaliation. The "jury" may be out, or maybe we should say "grand jury" in this case on whether he was involved in the GWB lane closing, cover-up, or the intimidating of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, but the Star-Ledger asserts there is no doubt Christie is responsible for creating a culture of "retribution."
Yes, Chris Christie did create a culture of retaliation: Editorial"
But not the first time: Richard Nixon also cut effective deals with Democrats and went on to abuse his power, New York Magazine's Jonathan Chait aptly pointed out. In fact, someone who's more concerned with power and influence than ideology makes a better bully because he's not constrained by partisan alliances. ...
His personal style has always been vindictive and aggressive. Lawmakers who challenged him were "numbnuts," a "jerk" and a "partisan hack." A Navy SEAL at a town hall meeting was an "idiot." The state's respected budget guru was "Dr. Kevorkian of the numbers." ...
Christie's officials canceled 10 meetings within one day with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop after they learned he wouldn't endorse the governor, records show. The governor himself okayed a decision to tell Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer to stay away from one of his events, held right across from her office in City Hall, after she refused to give an endorsement.
We don't yet know whether Christie had a hand in those lane closures. That's for the U.S. attorney to decide. But we do know he created the culture that inspired them.
1:57 PM PT: We have a bunch of Christie posts up which I'll provide links to here in just a few minutes:
Ericlewis0 has been on the Top Rec board with Christiegate: SEC Now Investigating Christie"
SeaTurtle challenges our imaginations with a rather wild conspiracy theory in A Chris Christie Conspiracy Theory.... I don't see motivation for the Democratic Party to go this far, and don't believe they did, but I always enjoy SeaTurtle's writing and this link is a lot less expensive than to a action-mystery movie.
And, if your mood swings more in the direction of comedy my early post Family Guy says vote for us for Emmy or face some traffic problems in Brentwood like in Bridgegate! may be up you alley, as the creator of Family Guy try to drum up votes for an Emmy with a bit of Bridgegate humor. I've put in about 8 other cartoons in this and made it a Friday night open threat for those filled with mirth, or latent mirthy tendencies.
"Family Guy" creators sent out this flier to Emmy voters to campaign for one of the awards given annually for TV excellence.
So much for may scanning abilities I didn't even notice this great post by Zentralis earlier on the same subpoena for Committee records sorry Zentralis. I'll switch the articles to the culture of retaliation.
U.S. Attorney Issues Subpoena to Committee Probing George Washington Bridge Scandal
Zentrails
2:38 PM PT: Thanks to SpamNunn for sending us this article by Micheal Booth, of the New Jersey Law Journal N.J. Bridgegate Committee Will Share Documents With U.S. Attorney's Office
U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman is seeking all documents that the New Jersey Select Committee on Investigation has obtained since it began its investigation earlier this year. ... The committee's co-chairs, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, and Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, said in a joint statement that the committee would cooperate with the government's investigation.
"We will comply fully with the request," the lawmakers said in their statement. "This reaffirms our progress in uncovering important information about the apparent abuse of government power and threat to public safety. Our committee will continue to cooperate with the federal authorities as we pursue the investigation."
The closures were orchestrated by Christie's former deputy chief of staff, Bridget Kelly, and David Wildstein, the former director of interstate capital projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns and operates the bridge. They caused massive traffic delays in and around Fort Lee.
Press reports have indicated that Wildstein has met with federal prosecutors and may be seeking immunity from prosecution in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation.