N.J. Bridge Scandal: Assembly Could Impeach Christie If More Evidence Comes Out
By Steve Strunsky and Ryan Hutchins / The Star-Ledger
Gov. Chris Christie would face possible impeachment if evidence emerges showing he knew more about the George Washington Bridge scandal, the New Jersey lawmaker leading a legislative inquiry said this morning.
Appearing on “Face the Nation,” Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) said the Assembly could move to impeach Christie if something comes to light revealing a direct link between the Republican governor and the September closure of local access lanes leading to the bridge in Fort Lee. Wisniewski, who chairs the Assembly transportation committee, said those closures clearly constituted a crime because public property was used for political purposes.
“If it becomes known that the governor was involved and he knew about it and he knew about the cover-up, and he was approving the actions taken by his senior staff, that raises serious questions that the assembly ought to look at,” Wisniewski said. “And that ought to be considered in light of what our responsibility is. The Assembly has the ability to do articles of impeachment.”
But Wisniewski said no direct link to Christie had been established at this point, and referring to impeachment proceedings he added, "We're a long way ahead of that."
If Christie were impeached by the Assembly, something that only requires a majority vote of its members, the state Senate would hold a trial, presided over by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. A conviction would require a two-thirds vote of the Senate and could lead to removal from office and a disqualification of holding any other public office in the state.
MORE...
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/face_the_nation_fox_sunday_gwb.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
