Report: Port Authority Chair, A Christie Adviser, Weighs Stepping Down

[ProSense]

Report: Port Authority Chair, A Christie Adviser, Weighs Stepping Down

The chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has raised the subject of resigning from his post, the New York Times reported Wednesday...David Samson, a Christie adviser and appointee to the bi-state agency that oversees the George Washington Bridge, had discussed the possibility of stepping down long before the bridge scandal, according to the Times.

But anonymous government officials told the newspaper that Samson has revisited the idea...Christie aides told the Times they knew of no plans for Samson to step down. The chairman himself denied that he was weighing resignation.

<...>

The New Jersey lawmaker leading the state assembly's investigation into the bridge affair said Friday that Samson's role deserved closer scrutiny, after newly released documents from former Port Authority executive David Wildstein referenced a meeting between the chairman and Christie that took place a week before the governor's deputy chief of staff sent an email about causing "traffic problems" in Fort Lee, N.J.

<...>

Christie said last week during a marathon press conference that he was confident Samson played no part in the political payback scheme.

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/david_samson_weighs_stepping_down_bridge_scandal

Samson, who claimed he wasn't told of bridge plot, threatened Foye in email
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024312456

Steve Kornacki's theory on the Christie scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024319407

Quinnipiac NJ poll: If Christie knew, 55 percent say "removed from office" or "removed/prosecuted"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024333693

[DURHAM D]

1. What I find really, really interesting is the complete silence from

the other side of the Hudson.

[Beach Rat]

2. My dad always told me...

when you see a street fight going on, never step in the way.

[DURHAM D]

5. I think Cuomo is waiting for just the right moment

so he can then step up and burnish his Presidential cred.

He better not wait too long as this might drift away.

[spanone]

3. k&r... ..drip, drip, drip

[HereSince1628]

4. The backfire built to protect the Christie machine needs more fuel?

This is definitely going to cause a run on the chits Chris is holding

The king of crony politics is spoiling like a ham...

stuck in Gov Chris Christie's Fort Lee New Jersey traffic jam!

[Laxman]

6. If True, This is Big...

Samson is one of the people behind the creation of Christie. Being the governor is the second best thing in NJ. The best thing is being the power behind the governor. If this tars Samson, this has the potential of unraveling the power structure in the state. A little more pressure and Norcross and the south Jersey democrats will abandon their unholy alliance with Christie and the house of cards will come tumbling down.

[ProSense]

7. Christie knew, and

"Samson is one of the people behind the creation of Christie. Being the governor is the second best thing in NJ. The best thing is being the power behind the governor. If this tars Samson, this has the potential of unraveling the power structure in the state. A little more pressure and Norcross and the south Jersey democrats will abandon their unholy alliance with Christie and the house of cards will come tumbling down."

...the notion that there was a rogue operation (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024328243) involving his entire inner circle is beyond absurd.

Former Gov. Huntsman: 'Something Doesn't Connect' With Christie's Knowledge Of Bridge Closure
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024329851

Christie: Vindictive ass or incompetent buffoon
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268391/-Christie-Vindictive-ass-or-incompetent-buffoon

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

8. Every time you see the name David Samson

think Bela Lugosi. Pull the string! Mistakes made. A story must be told!

[Laxman]

9. Just An FYI....

I'll leave it to someone else with the time or resources to track this further. Wolff & Samson apparently represented Silverstein Properties, the developer of the World Trade Center site at some point in time. David Samson had to recuse himself on Port Authority matters involving Silverstein:

Samson, who recused himself 52 times, noted that recusals are up to individual commissioners. He said that, out of caution, he recused himself from matters where he had even tenuous outside ties that would not have affected his judgment. But some ties were more direct.

Samson is a partner at the law firm Wolff & Samson, which previously represented Silverstein Properties, the company that is building part of the World Trade Center site and was locked in tense negotiations with the Port Authority before Samson joined the board. The firm also served as bond counsel for the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which recently agreed to hand over operational control of the Atlantic City Airport to the Port Authority.

Silverstein Properties submitted an RFP for Fort Lee's Redevelopment Area 5. See here: http://www.fortleenj.org/index.php/downloadable-documents/category/40-responses-to-requests-for-proposals.html

Theirs was not the successful proposal. Do not know if Wolff & Samson represented Silverstein at the time they submitted this RPF.