David Wildstein, Christie ports official, admits to bridge lane closure plot - East Idaho News
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David Wildstein, Christie ports official, admits to bridge lane closure plot

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NEWARK N.J. (CNN) — Former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official David Wildstein pleaded guilty to two counts in U.S. Federal court Friday, admitting that he conspired with Gov. Chris Christie’s deputy chief of staff to close lanes of the George Washington bridge as political retribution against the Fort Lee Mayor for not endorsing the governor’s reelection. He will be released on $100,000 bond and sentenced Aug. 6.

Government lawyers said Wildstein cooperated with their investigation. Wildstein pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud on federally funded property and one civil rights violation. In court, Wildstein admitted to using a “traffic study” as a cover for the lane closure and choosing the first day of school to maximize the impact. Wildstein also admitted to purposefully not alerting the Fort Lee mayor or police chief, and admitted to intentionally keeping “radio silence” with local officials on the issue to maximize the retribution.

Bridget Anne Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, denied Friday any involvement in the Bridgegate scandal. And she accused former Port Authority executive David Wildstein of being “a liar.”

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