Mayor at Heart of NJ Bridge Scandal Takes Gov. Christie at His Word

Governor told him he had no knowledge of retributive behavior by aides

The mayor whose town was apparently punished by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's aides during last year's campaign said Sunday "I take him at his word" that Christie had no prior knowledge of lane closings leading to the George Washington Bridge.

The lane closings in Fort Lee, N.J., were an apparent effort to retaliate against Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, who had not endorsed Christie in the campaign. Sokolich met with Christie on Thursday to accept Christie's apology for the incident, which created massive traffic jams in Fort Lee.

Sokolich said on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday that Christie was "candid" during their meeting, but added "there's just a lot of stuff out there," a reference to unanswered questions about the bridge episode and other allegations that Christie is heavy-handed in his governing style.