Chris Christie Lays Blame on Aide for Retributive Bridge Lane Closures

Earlier today, Ed Krayewski
noted a
growing scandal engulfing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, about
lane closings of the extremely busy George Washington Bridge that
appeared to be a form of political retaliation against a mayor who
declined to endorse him.

This afternoon, Christie, who had previously denied his office
played any role, put out a statement acknowledging that it seems
that it had, and he’s laying the blame on an aide. The Associated
Press
reports:

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that a top aide misled him
about her role in apparent political retribution against a town
mayor and that he knew nothing about the situation.

Emails and text messages released Wednesday link Christie aides
and political appointees to traffic jams in a town in September
that appear to have been engineered as political payback.

His full statement reads:

“What I’ve seen today for the first time is unacceptable. I am
outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by
a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and
unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge. One thing is
clear: This type of behavior is unacceptable and I will not
tolerate it because the people of New Jersey deserve better. This
behavior is not representative of me or my Administration in any
way, and people will be held responsible for their actions.”

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