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NJ Prosecutors Will Not Charge Christie with Misconduct in ‘Bridgegate”

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NJ Governor Chris Christie will not be charged with misconduct in the GW Bridge scandal

New Jersey state prosecutors have decided that they will not be pursuing a case against New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his alleged involvement in the George Washington Bridge scandal. 

In a letter addressed to Superior Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol, the assistant prosecutor assigned to the case, John Higgins, has said that the State will not pursue a case against Christie on the grounds that the State does not believe it has enough evidence against the Governor to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The misconduct case was brought to the attention of Bergen county prosecutors when a State firefighter and soon to be Gubernatorial candidate, William Brennan filed a complaint against Christie stating that he Governor violated the State’s misconduct law when he failed to reopen local access lanes in Fort Lee after they were closed in the famous political ploy to punish a Mayor for not backing Christie’s 2013 bid for governor. The fiasco is popularly referred to as the “Bridge Gate scandal.” 

This is not the be all end all of the investigation against Governor Christie, as a municipal Court judge is scheduled to hear in a hearing that will examine whether or not there is probable cause in the case. The hearing is set to take place next month. Brennan, who plans to run as a Democrat, responded to the move by New Jersey prosecutors by stating that his appeal for an independent prosecutor was absolutely necessary in this case. 

“This vindicates my position that a special prosecutor is needed.” Brennan was referring to the fact that in the State of New Jersey, prosecutors were appointed by the governor, presenting a conflict of interest in cases where governors are to be tried for potential wrongdoing. 

A spokesman for the Governor has said in response to the move by the prosecutors that “it is right and appropriate that this injustice against the Governor is finally over.” Christie himself has reportedly said that he is “gratified” that this “baseless fiasco” has ended. 

Two of Christie’s former aides, ex-deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly and a top Port Authority official, Bill Baroni were both found guilty of nine counts of conspiracy and fraud stemming from the scheme to block access to the George Washington Bridge in order to punish Democratic Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing the governor. 

Judge Mizdol disagreed with Christie’s attorneys that there was no evidence to suggest probable cause in the case, which is the reason that a hearing was scheduled. 

If the hearing will rule in favor of Brennan, prosecutors will have to present evidence before a grand jury, which will then have the power to indict Christie on criminal charges. 

Should the governor be convicted of misconduct, he will face from anywhere between five to ten years in prison. 

By: Alan Stetberg

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