Experts see possible charges in NJ bridge scandal

[ProSense]

Experts see possible charges in NJ bridge scandal

David Porter, Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The George Washington Bridge traffic jam that was apparently engineered by allies of Gov. Chris Christie as political payback could lead to criminal charges such as conspiracy or official misconduct...Also, those involved in the lane closings could be charged with perjury or obstruction if they lied to or misled investigators or if they produced documents after the fact that were designed to thwart an investigation.

“To me, the most plausible course for a federal criminal investigation would be to see if there’s any cover-up,” said Rutgers University law professor Stuart Green, adding that under the law, the conduct being covered up does not have to be criminal in itself.

Federal prosecutors and both houses of the state Legislature are investigating the scandal, which broke wide open last week with the release of emails and text messages suggesting that a top Christie aide ordered the lane closings in mid-September to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee...“A potential misuse of taxpayer resources for political purposes is a serious matter that requires an astute legal eye with experience in this realm to help guide the process,” said Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, a Democrat...those who were involved could face conspiracy charges, according to Fordham University law professor Jim Cohen, who teaches a course in law and responsibility.

“The easiest criminal issue is conspiracy, and this was clearly a conspiracy among several people to accomplish an illegal purpose — the shutdown of the roadways not in accordance with whatever rules govern shutting down the roadways,” Cohen said. “And conspiracy is often breathtakingly easy to prove.”

- more -

http://www.salon.com/2014/01/15/experts_see_possible_charges_in_nj_bridge_scandal/

NJ Port Authority Chief Warned That Bridge Lane Closures Were Illegal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024311993

Lawmakers Hire Ex-Blagojevich Prosecutor To Investigate Bridge Scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024335740

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

2. More Subpoenas In Bridge Scandal Investigation Could Come Thursday

More Subpoenas In Bridge Scandal Investigation Could Come Thursday

Lawmakers in New Jersey's General Assembly could send out a fresh round of subpoenas as early as Thursday afternoon in the scandal that has consumed Gov. Chris Christie's administration. Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D) told TPM on Wednesday evening that the Assembly plans to vote on Thursday at noon to formally establish a special committee to ramp up the investigation of the scandal. The committee's first meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. and Wisniewski, who will chair the committee, said subpoenas were "likely to follow thereafter."

Wisniewski declined to say who would receive the subpoenas.

"I'm not going to give out the names tonight because there's a long list and the folks who are the targets of those subpoenas should find out when they get them," he said.

Wisniewski declined to discuss whether Christie himself could be subpoenaed by the committee. He pointed out that, thus far, documents obtained through subpoenas have not contained any evidence that Christie played a part in the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge that are at the heart of the scandal.

"I'm not going to go there. I mean, we don't have any basis to say that," Wisniewski said when asked whether the governor would receive a subpoena. "We don't have any basis to go on that. ... It's just sensationalism to say we may do that because that's the headline, 'Committee May Subpoena Governor.' ... We follow the facts wherever they lead us and we're not going to turn away from following the facts because of any one person."

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bridge-scandal-subpoenas-thursday

[warrior1]

3. By the emails we have seen so far

we know they were also conducting state's business on private emails, a violation.

I hope this last through the 2016 election.

[ProSense]

5. I hope he's forced to resign and

prosecuted.

[ProSense]

4. Poll: If Christie knew, 55 percent say he should be "removed from office" or "removed/prosecuted"

Quinnipiac

<...>

New Jersey voters approve 55 - 38 percent of the job Gov. Christie is doing, down from his all-time high 74 - 22 percent February 20, 2013. Women approve 55 - 37 percent while men approve 54 - 39 percent. Approval among Democrats drops from 56 - 38 percent last February to a negative 36 - 55 percent today.

<...>


Some 93 percent of all New Jersey voters have read or heard something about the controversy surrounding the September traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge.

Voters in that group say 66 - 22 that the governor did not personally order the traffic jam. Even Democrats say 53 - 32 percent that Christie was not involved.

Among voters who know of Bridgegate, 41 percent say Christie knew what his aides were doing while 50 percent say these aides acted without the governor's knowledge.

- more -

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1995

13. (If heard or read q7) What should happen to Christie if it is proven that he ordered the traffic jam or knew what his aides were doing: he should apologize, he should be removed from office, or he should be removed from office and prosecuted on criminal charges?

Total

Apologize 27%
Removed from office 32
Removed/Prosecuted 33

Removed from office or Removed/Prosecuted

Total 55 percent
Republicans: 50 percent
Democrats: 77 percent
Independents: 63 percent

[warrior1]

6. He either knew or he didn't and he's incompetent

My money is on he fucking knew about this.

[ProSense]

7. Port Authority Chief Samson Says He Might Resign in Wake of Bridgegate

Port Authority Chief Samson Says He Might Resign in Wake of Bridgegate

<...>

Moments ago, Rachel Maddow did an entire segment on David Samson's connections to the scandal. Among the things that look fishy for him are an email from Wildstein that says, "Samson is helping us retaliate." Rachel also interviewed a reporter from the Star-Ledger, who corroborated Samson's having floated the idea of stepping down.

My advice to Mr. Samson: Go for it.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/15/1269978/-Port-Authority-Chief-Samson-Says-He-Might-Resign

[another_liberal]

8. "And conspiracy is often breathtakingly easy to prove."

That's especially true of a conspiracy as clumsily constructed as this one clearly is. The only question is who will break under the pressure first and start to talk.

[ProSense]

9. The

"That's especially true of a conspiracy as clumsily constructed as this one clearly is. The only question is who will break under the pressure first and start to talk."

...lawyering up begins.

Former Christie Campaign Manager Retains Attorney
http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-428137/

[libdem4life]

10. Was listening to a Congressman describing that no one could meet or talk with a member

of Christie's staff without his permission. He knew everything. He's a micromanager and control freak. And to keep their large salaries and perks, they were willing to arrange to take the heat and not directly implicate him. Subpoenas have a way of breaking through the wall.

[Cha]

11. I should think so.. from what we know!

[ProSense]

12. Too funny:

Boehner Says 'It's Time To Move On' From Christie's Scandal
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/boehner-time-to-move-on-christie-scandal

[Cha]

13. boner says a lot of stupid things.. add

it to the long list.