Christie ally David Wildstein pleads guilty, says Bridgegate closures were retribution

[brooklynite]

Source: NJ Advance Media

NEWARK — Former Port Authority executive David Wildstein has pleaded guilty for his role in the closure of local access lanes to the George Washington Bridge.

He admitted conspiring with Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly to "punish" Fort Lee mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing Gov. Chris Christie in his re-election bid.

Wildstein will be released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond in return for his cooperation with the government.

Watching the proceedings were the two Democratic legislators who spearheaded hearings into the episode: Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. Wildstein refused to answer questions posed by an Wisnewski's Assembly committee last year, citing his right to avoid incriminating himself.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/david_wildstein_pleads_guilty.html#incart_maj-story-1

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Does anyone know what the actual criminal charge was?

[malthaussen]

1. According to the ever-reliable New York Daily News...

"The nature of the charges is unclear."

-- Mal

[George II]

7. When one pleads guilty to one charge, many time the other charges remain sealed....

....and not disclosed to the public.

[Malraiders]

2. Gee that guy sure has aged since he became a public face for corruption in

New Jersey politics.

[George II]

8. He's lost a LOT of weight, hope it's only due to loss of appetite and not any serious illness...

....despite the fact that I'm not happy with what he did.

[wheniwasincongress]

17. Wow

http://www.northjersey.com/polopoly_fs/1.658923.1395304435!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_650/01092014wildstein2-dngnk.jpg
hope he's okay.

[busterbrown]

3. Well it’s not much of a Story..Unless

he rats on the big Rat!!

[valerief]

11. I'm sure the big rat made him an offer he couldn't refuse. nt

[FairWinds]

4. This should destroy . .

Christie's presidential bid - good!!

Love to see him do the perp walk too.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Would be interesting to see

Rachael's take on this...

[okaawhatever]

6. I wonder if he only flipped on Kelly & Beroni or if he flipped on the big guy nt

[George II]

10. If not, no doubt Kelly and Baroni will flip.

[former9thward]

13. Feds say no one else will be charged.

Christie was not implicated in the scandal, which skewered the Republican's presidential ambitions and caused his popularity in the Garden State to tank. Prosecutors said Friday based on the evidence they did not expect to charge anyone else in connection with the lane closures.


http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/George-Washington-Bridge-Lane-Closure-Scandal-Chris-Christie-David-Wildstein-302121241.html

[George II]

9. "Wildstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to misapply property of the Port Authority...

....and conspiracy to violate the civil rights of Fort Lee residents in the September 2013 lane closings."

Lots more detail, including the entire plea agreement, are in the article.

[former9thward]

12. NBC News: Feds do not expect anyone else to be charged.

Christie was not implicated in the scandal, which skewered the Republican's presidential ambitions and caused his popularity in the Garden State to tank. Prosecutors said Friday based on the evidence they did not expect to charge anyone else in connection with the lane closures.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/George-Washington-Bridge-Lane-Closure-Scandal-Chris-Christie-David-Wildstein-302121241.html

[LiberalElite]

14. Ridiculous. To quote an old Chinese proverb -

The fish stinks from the head. Or in other words, BULLSHIT.

[madokie]

15. Sing little birdie sing

your song is music to our ears so sing it loud and sing it clear

[Beacool]

16. The best part was Wildstein's lawyer saying that Christie knew about the bridge closing.

"Zegas also reiterated today that Christie "knew of the lane closures as they occurred" and "evidence exists" that proves it."