New Jersey Governor Chris Christie answered to the media Thursday saying he was “embarrassed and humiliated” over the revelation that lanes on the George Washington Bridge were closed as payback to the Fort Lee mayor for not endorsing his re-election bid.
Speaking to reporters in Trenton, Christie issued an apology to the people from the town of Fort Lee and of the State of New Jersey.
Christie insisted he had no knowledge of the decision to purposely create gridlock in Fort Lee.
He also called for his former campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to withdraw his name from consideration for head of that state’s Republican party.
Christie’s deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Lee, who apparently ordered the lane closures has also been terminated, effective immediately.
“I am heartbroken that somebody I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the last five years betrayed my trust,” said Christie. “I take this action today because it’s my job. I am responsible for what happened. I am sad to report to the people of New Jersey that we fell short.”
Christie recently denied the closure was political but now has reversed course after further investigation.
Newly released emails show Kelly told one of the governor’s Port Authority appointees that it was “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”
Shortly thereafter, two lanes of the George Washington Bridge were closed for an apparent “traffic study” which caused major gridlock in the area.
Christie said he is visiting Fort Lee on Thursday to personally apologize to the mayor and residents.
Federal prosecutors in New Jersey are also reportedly looking into the incident.
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via Great Local News: New York http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info
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