Well technically, she didn't say "won't comment" -- she said "can't comment" ...
Zimmer: Yes, I've read story on possible Bridgegate indictments; no, I won't comment
by Terrence T. McDonald, The Jersey Journal, nj.com -- June 20, 2014
[...]
"It did get forwarded to me," Zimmer said today after a press conference on Hoboken's flood mitigation plan. "I did read it, but I can't comment on it."
The Esquire story, post on the magazine's website yesterday, claims two anonymous sources say Bridgegate-related indictments of Christie allies on federal corruption charges are "near certain." The U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to comment.
[...]
While one of witnesses [Zimmer] may be under orders not to discuss the case, being pursued by U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman, into the possible illegal actions of the Christie Administration -- this local NJ writer is under no such 'can't say' compunctions:
Are Chris Christie and his cronies cornered on Bridgegate? Mulshine [Opinion Writer]
by Paul Mulshine, The Star Ledger, nj.com -- June 21, 2014
[...]
Here’s the relevant passage [from the recent Esquire update on the Investigation]:
“Federal charges in the bridge closures potentially include both intentional interference in interstate commerce and -- in the cover-up that ensued -- obstruction of justice.”
As I’ve written, Christie has been rather cleverly carving out a position to the effect that if he didn’t know about the lane closures in advance, then he’s off the hook.
That may work with the media. But the U.S. Attorney is not bound by it. If Fishman finds an underlying federal crime of the sort mentioned in the article, then he can proceed to go after anyone conspiring to cover up that crime.
[...]
Isn't it always the case, that the cover-up puts them into the deeper end of the swamp -- than did their initial stupid idea. Like, let's go wading with the alligators ...
they obey traffic cones, don't they?
Here's the crux of the Christie Cover-up foray, mud-tinged swamp-map provided by that same NJ writer ...
Chris Christie changes his story on those 'dedicated lanes' (Mulshine)
by Paul Mulshine, The Star Ledger, nj.com -- March 30, 2014
[...]
Not so fast.
It turns out Chris Christie's views have changed on just when he first learned that there are three access lanes to the George Washington Bridge "dedicated" to Fort Lee.
First check out what he said in that infamous "I worked the cones" press conference on Dec. 2:
"The fact that one town has three lanes dedicated to it, that kind of gets me sauced."
-- Christie on Dec. 2, before the Bridget Kelly e-mails broke
[...]
Why would the governor of New Jersey be "sauced" that these Jersey drivers had access to the bridge equivalent to the access granted to the out-of-state drivers on the Interstate highway?
I'll take a guess. At this point, Christie was still trying to sell the cover story put forth by his Port Authority appointees David Wildstein and Bill Baroni. That was the contention that this was a legitimate traffic study.
[...]
That was the story at the time. And since Christie appointee Baroni was having such a hard time
selling it -- the swamp director himself, thought he'd led him a hand.
What's one more BS filled press conference? Piece of cake.
Or so the 'saucy guy' thought ...
So if the Cover-up was Crime One -- here are Crimes Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven ... (according to those same Fishman court insiders, that those Esquire writers have on speed-dial.)
Exclusive: Prosecutor Is Closing In on Gov. Christie
Indictments against four cronies are near certain, sources say. Only question is if David Samson, Christie's longtime mentor, will flip.
by Scott Raab and Lisa Brennan, Esquire.com -- June 19, 2014
[...]
Federal charges in the bridge closures potentially include both intentional interference in interstate commerce and -- in the cover-up that ensued -- obstruction of justice. The use of Port Authority money, raised by issuing bonds, to pay for non-PA projects will likely result in charges of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit same; the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also investigating on this front, along with the Manhattan District Attorney, who’s seeking evidence to support state charges of falsifying business records and official misconduct. Charges derived from David Samson’s numerous conflicts of interest while serving as a PA official could, in Hoboken’s case, include federal charges of extortion under the Hobbs Act, and New York state charges of official misconduct and corruption.
[...]
Those are some
mighty Big Alligators. The same kind that can end mighty corrupt political careers.
Here's to draining that NJ corruption swamp ... especially the deep payola end of it.
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