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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