“That smacks of Watergate”: Expert tells Salon which charges could reach Chris Christie’s office

[DonViejo]

From conspiracy to manslaughter: Former assistant U.S. attorney assesses what charges bridge scandal could yield

JOSH EIDELSON

On Wednesday, the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s office announced the opening of a preliminary inquiry into the allegedly retaliatory closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge. On Thursday, an attorney announced the filing of a potential class action lawsuit against Gov. Chris Christie and others on behalf of New Jersey residents affected by allegedly orchestrated traffic nightmare.

Could Chris Christie or his appointees be found guilty of a crime? To consider the potential risks to the governor, Salon called up Loyola Law School’s Laurie Levenson, a former assistant U.S. attorney and author of the “Federal Criminal Rules Handbook.” An edited and condensed version of our Friday conversation follows.

Based on what we know so far in New Jersey, if it were demonstrated that there were some kind of loss of life that resulted in some way from this delay, would that be grounds for some kind of manslaughter charge?

Theoretically. But really only theoretically, because there would be some difficult causation issues. This woman was in her 90s, right? And there was a claim that emergency vehicles didn’t get to her in time.

In a criminal case, the burden’s very high: proof beyond a reasonable doubt. [You] can anticipate that the defense is going to say, “You know, really this was not enough of a contributing factor.”

So, theoretically: sure. Do I anticipate prosecutors will focus on that as the likely charge? Not really.

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http://www.salon.com/2014/01/11/that_smacks_of_watergate_expert_tells_salon_which_charges_could_reach_chris_christies_office/

[TheBlackAdder]

1. If Christie was involved... Hopefully Kelly will remember how Bret Schundler was treated.

Bret Schundler was Chris Christie's "friend".

Christie botched a $400 Milllion Race to the Top grant and then tried to find a couple of patsies.

When that didn't pan out... he turned to his "friend" running the Dept. of Education and FIRED HIM!

Christie blamed the whole thing on Schundler.

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It it were Schundler's fault all along, why did he blame others first?

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Schundler is still seething over this betrayal of friendship.

If Kelly thinks that Christie will protect her, if he ordered it, she should think again.