NewsA New Jersey judge signed a summons [complaint] on Thursday accusing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie [official website] of misconduct for his alleged role in the closure of bridge lanes in 2013. Christie was not charged by federal prosecutors or held responsible by other investigations into the George Washington Bridge lane-closure. The charges in the summons come from a citizen’s misconduct complaint. Activist Bill Brennan filed [BBC report] the misconduct complaint after testimony from a former Port Authority official was released stating that Christie was informed of the lane closure two days after the fact. The complaint alleges that Christie “knowingly refrained from ordering that his subordinates take all necessary action to re-open local access lanes.” Christie has repeatedly denied knowing about the lane closures and has stated he will appeal the ruling. It has been claimed that Christie’s staff closed the bridge as retaliation for Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich not endorsing Christie in his re-election bid. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office will now decide whether there is enough evidence to indict Governor Christie for official misconduct. If found guilty, he could face five to ten years in prison.
Christie has faced several other legal challenges in recent years. In October 2015 Christie filed an eminent domain action [JURIST report] against Margate, New Jersey. Residents of Margate have stalled attempts by Christie to construct protective sand dunes along the coast of New Jersey forcing him to seize the property. In October 2013 Christie lost a battle with the New Jersey court system over same-sex marriage ultimately withdrawing his appeal on the ruling [JURIST report] supporting marriage within the state. In August 2013 Christie signed a bill banning sexual conversion therapy to minors [JURIST report] which was ultimately upheld by the court system.
