The New York Times reports that former Port Authority official claims to have proof that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie knew about politically motivated lane closings on the George Washington Bridge as they were happening.
The assertion contradicts earlier statements by Christie, who has said that he was "embarrassed and humiliated" when he found out. he said that members of his staff acted without his permission or knowledge in September to close the lanes in what appeared to be an attempt to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, NJ. The closures caused massive traffic jams leading into the city.
But a letter from the attorney for David Wildstein, who personally oversaw the lane closings and resigned as the scandal grew, says his client has evidence "tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the governor stated publicly."
"Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some," the letter added.
NPR's Joel Rose confirms the report, and says Wildstein's lawyer "has been seeking immunity for his client in exchange for cooperation with investigators. The lawyer is also asking the Port Authority to reverse its decision not to pay Wildstein's legal bills."
In emails written in September and published earlier this month, Christie's then-Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly wrote to Wildstein discussing the apparently punitive lane closings. In one email, Kelly, who was later fired by Christie, wrote that it was "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee."
Wildstein resigned in the wake of the scandal.
In a two-hour news conference earlier this month, the governor denied any "knowledge or involvement" in the decision to close the bridge lanes, saying he was "stunned" to learn of it. He called Kelly's actions "completely unacceptable" and "an awful, callous, indifferent thing to do."
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