And this sole reference to the Chip Michaels -- the Port Authority Police Lt who acted as David Wildstien's personal chauffeur for the open-ended GW Bridge gridlock -- on the very first day of the "realignment event," otherwise known as "some traffic problems for Fort Lee".
It was spoken by the Governor of New Jersey himself, Chris Christie. Mr. Christie described his day when he went to Manhattan -- in the middle the "realignment event" -- on 9-11-2013, like so -- or rather the lawyers of Gibson & Dunn described the Governor's words, as follows:
[...] Governor Christie had no role in the lane realignment and no knowledge of anyone’s participation in the lane realignment. He did not discuss the lane realignment with any Port Authority or Administration personnel. While the realignment was in effect, Governor Christie did not recall being aware of the lane realignment or the traffic caused by the lane realignment.
A. 9/11 Memorial Event
For the 9/11 Memorial Event, Governor Christie, at Charlie McKenna’s suggestion,took a ferry across the Hudson River with the New Jersey families of 9/11 victims. Upon arrival in Manhattan, the New Jersey State Police drove the Governor to the arrival site,where he was met by Baroni. Wildstein and Samson joined at some point later. Governor Christie then stood around for a while, waiting for Governor Cuomo to arrive, so that the two governors could enter at the same time, per tradition. During this waiting period, various Port Authority employees were brought over by Baroni and/or Wildstein to take pictures with Governor Christie.
The Governor did not believe that Chip Michaels was there. The Governor said he did not know Michaels well, but he is familiar with Michaels’ family. They were reacquainted in the past few years because their children played hockey. The Governor recently saw Michaels at the hockey rink, where they discussed their children and hockey, including his son’s recent injury. The Governor never discussed the GWB traffic or lane realignment with Michaels.
p167 -- Memo Doc found in this
source post from nj.com.
For more on the New Jersey Governor's failing memory, and other vague recollections of his, keep reading the low-lights from the Gibson & Dunn "Christie Memo," over the fold ...
p163
To: File
From: Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Re: Governor Christie Interview Memorandum
On February 12, 2014, February 28, 2014, and March 18, 2014, Governor Chris Christie was interviewed by Randy Mastro, Debra Wong Yang, and Alexander H. Southwell of Gibson Dunn. The Governor was not represented by counsel and volunteered to make himself available to be interviewed. All information contained herein was provided by Governor Christie. Governor Christie has not read or reviewed the memorandum and has not adopted or approved its contents.
This memorandum does not contain a verbatim transcript of what was said at the meeting; rather, it is a summary of the discussion that reflects counsel’s mental thoughts and impressions and is therefore protected from disclosure by the attorney work product doctrine.
I. Allegations concerning Sandy Aid and Mayor Zimmer
p164
[...]
The Governor was involved in some policy decisions concerning the types of recovery programs and projects to pursue. [...] On occasion, the Governor would get reports on where the aid money was distributed and any problems with contractors. If something was not working, his GORR team would become aware of it, and sometimes, he would hear how they were trying to fix it.The Governor often commented that aid should be distributed “on the merits.”
The Governor stated that there is no truth to the allegations that he directed anyone to tie Sandy aid to any political considerations or support for any economic development projects. The Governor made clear that he did not give any such direction and did not send any messages to anyone about tying Sandy aid to economic development projects. The Governor further stated that he did not provide any direction to the Lt. Governor, as alleged, at any time.
A. Rockefeller Development Group
Asked about awareness of the Rockefeller Group development project in Hoboken, the Governor stated that he had only a very general awareness of the Rockefeller Group and that they were attempting to pursue some development in Hoboken. The Governor was aware of the Rockefeller Group from some other projects around the state, including ground breakings or ribbon-cuttings that he recalls having attended. The Governor recalls that there was another development project in Hoboken involving NJ Transit, but he does not recall or know if he knew the name of the other developer of that project or any other details about the project; he simply refers to it as the NJ Transit project. [NOTE: LCOR is the developer of the NJ Transit project. (sic)] The Governor did recall, however, that NJ Transit was frustrated that Mayor Zimmer was not supporting that other project, despite it being a good project. The Governor did not recall from whom he had heard this.
p165
The Governor was not aware, and had no recollection of ever knowing, that Mayor Zimmer took any position adverse to the Rockefeller Group project.
The Governor had no specific recollection of any meetings with any Rockefeller Group executives or lobbyists. He acknowledged that he may have met or seen Rockefeller Group executives at events. He recently saw a photograph of himself and a Rockefeller Group executive at a Day Top Village charity event last year. He had not recalled seeing the executive at that large gathering, but realized that he must have, given the photograph.
The Governor stated that he now knows that Wolff & Samson represented the Rockefeller Group, although he was not aware of that at the time of the allegations at issue. The Governor has not met with Lori Grifa of Wolff & Samson since she left DCA.
p169
E. September and October 2013
The Governor did not recall reading the “Road Warrior” piece about the lane realignment.
[...]
The Governor had no specific recollection of the September 17, 2013, and October 1, 2013 Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”) articles, but generally recalled that the WSJ was the lead outlet reporting on this story. He recalled seeing the substance of Foye’s email and an article about it, but was not sure when it was posted -- at night or the next day. He was aware that
p170
the articles included claims of violations of law. The Governor had two reactions to the article: (1) it was typical of Foye to write and then leak an email, rather than directly discussing the issue; and (2) the Governor wanted to know what happened. Soon thereafter, the Governor raised the issue with McKenna and/or O’Dowd. At some point thereafter, the Governor thought McKenna came back and told him that Baroni said this was a traffic study, and that Foye was making a huge deal out of nothing. This explanation was consistent with the Governor’s understanding of tensions at the Port Authority, and therefore, after hearing this explanation, he was satisfied at that time.
F. November 2013
The Governor next heard about this issue when it was brought to the Governor’s attention whether Baroni should appear at a legislative committee meeting without being subpoenaed. The Governor’s reaction was that he should appear. The Governor did not listen to or follow the testimony. The Governor did recall asking McKenna how the testimony went, and McKenna told the Governor that it went fine -- that Baroni had shared evidence of the traffic study, apologized for not talking to Foye about it, and promised that nothing similar would happen in the future.
Thereafter, the Governor heard about the subpoena to Foye and some employees of the Port Authority. The Governor asked McKenna about the subpoenas, and McKenna told him that it was McKenna’s impression that Foye had asked for the subpoena.
[...]
[Memo snippets, supplemental links, and emphasis added by this poster.]
With all those:
"no truth to the rumors, I don't recalls, I was not aware, no specific recollections" ...
you've got to wonder if the New Jersey Governor recalls 'which dog ate his homework', when he was back in grade-school?
If not, maybe he can ask his old neighborhood buddy Chip Michaels, IF he recalls, recollects, or was otherwise aware of the "realignment events" that were happening right under there very noses, last September?
Or perhaps David Wildstein swore Chip to secrecy too, what with the master plot they were hatching, all on their lonesomes?
If you liked this post, perhaps you would enjoy the first installment, from yesterday too:
The One Reference to "Hudson Lights" in the Gibson Dunn Memos
by jamess -- Apr 14, 2014
Assuming "you recall," WHY you got interested in this Christie Bridgegate story to begin with. As always thanks for taking the time, to stay informed.