Now that we have more Christie staffers announcing that they will invoke their right against self-incrimination in what I like to call Jerseygate, at least with respect to the legislative investigation, it is reasonable to wonder if they are going to do the same in the federal grand jury investigation. The dynamics of a federal grand jury investigation are much different than a legislative investigation, and I will admit that I have no experience with them in any capacity.
However, the ramifications of a grand jury investigation are pretty simple; comply with a subpoena and possibly incriminate yourself, don't comply and see what the US Attorney does. The USA's options are also fairly straight forward; file contempt charges to force compliance, attempt to reach a deal that includes immunity or a beneficial plea to the person to get them to comply, or just go around them.
The going around them part is to obtain search warrants.
To obtain a search warrant from a federal judge would require that the USA be able to show that there is probable cause that a crime has been committed. I will be honest, I don't know, nor does anyone else outside of the USA's office, if they are close to that stage of the process.
What I do know is that, if, or when it happens, it will be quite a lovely sight. I cannot wait to see the images on the TV thingy of men and women in blue jackets with yellow FBI on their backs carrying boxes of seized items and placing them into moving vans. Just imagine what it will look like as computers get hauled away from the Christie Campaign offices (CC says he will comply, but the degree of this may be lacking), BK's, WS's homes, and all the others who may not comply with their subpoenas.
Sadly, so much of the work via any search warrants will not play out on TV. Bank records, email accounts, cell phone and other phone records including text messages, and any other electronic records will be out of our view. Christie's USA office loved to leak this kind of information. They were all about the show as much as they were about the crime. Unfortunately, from what I have read about Mr. Fishman's way of operating, we will not be as lucky. He tends to play it tight lipped and close to the vest.
So I have one question, if we do see the guys in the blue jackets carrying boxes to moving vans, will it be wrong that I will be smiling?
Note: should have been "perp walk" but my finger went the wrong way. Please forgive.