Christie 'humiliated' in scandal over traffic

New Jersey governor fires one of his top aides and makes public apology

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's US presidential ambitions ran into a jam on Thursday when he was forced to admit his staff's role in blocking commuter traffic onto a major bridge.

Christie, a larger-than-life Republican seen by some as a front-runner for his party's 2016 presidential nomination, said he had been "embarrassed and humiliated" by the alleged dirty tricks.

As Christie apologized publicly for the abrupt lane closings apparently ordered by some of his staff - and which he said he did not know about beforehand - the US Attorney's office in New Jersey said it was launching an investigation. Deliberately snarling traffic would constitute a crime.

Also on Thursday, a class-action lawsuit over the traffic jams was filed against Christie and other government officials by area residents.

In a marathon news conference, Christie repeatedly apologized for his office's connection to the shutting down in September of local access lanes onto the heavily traveled George Washington Bridge, which links New Jersey to New York.

The lane closures caused massive traffic disruption for four days in Fort Lee, NJ, allegedly to punish the local mayor, who did not endorse Christie's successful reelection bid.

"I had no knowledge or involvement in this issue, in its planning or its execution," a chastened Christie told reporters. "I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team.

"I've terminated the employment of Bridget Kelly, effective immediately. I terminated her employment because she lied to me," he added, referring to his deputy chief of staff.

At times humbled and somber, at times showing signs of his usual bombastic style, Christie branded Kelly "stupid" and "deceitful" for her role in an apparent act of petty political retribution.

With his office bracing for an inquiry into the scandal by federal prosecutors, Christie fell back on the blunt stance that has won him admirers in US politics beyond his regional fiefdom.

"I have absolutely nothing to hide," he said, adding that he will instruct staff to "cooperate and answer questions".

Christie then went to Fort Lee to apologize "face to face" to its Democratic mayor Mark Sokolich, who apparently drew the wrath of Christie aides over his refusal to back the governor last year.

The governor called the meeting "very good and productive", while Sokolich told CNN he felt Christie had given him a "sincere apology".

Christie said he felt "blindsided" on Wednesday when he learned of the communications between Kelly and a top Christie appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, David Wildstein.

"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Kelly wrote to Wildstein, a high school acquaintance of Christie, on August 13.

"Got it," Wildstein replied.

The Fort Lee mayor was not advised that the lanes would be closed for what was said to be a traffic study. The resulting chaos ensnared millions of commuters as well as some emergency responders.

On Sept 10, Wildstein texted Kelly that he was "smiling" about the incident but "I feel badly about the kids," referring to students stuck for hours on buses.

"They are the children of Buono voters," Kelly texted back, referring to Christie's Democratic rival in the governor's race, Barbara Buono.

Wildstein resigned from the Port Authority in December.

Under subpoena, Wildstein appeared at a New Jersey inquiry Thursday but refused to answer questions, leading lawmakers to hold him in contempt.

Christie also ordered his two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to step out of a race to lead New Jersey's Republican Party.

He slammed Stepien's "callous indifference" for his tone in communications regarding the scandal, which has already come to be known as "Bridgegate".

(China Daily 01/11/2014 page6)