Gov. Chris Christie says he stands by the timing of a 2006 probe into U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's relationship with a nonprofit agency, an investigation that began while Christie was serving as the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

Christie briefly addressed the issue during a news conference Tuesday, just days after it was disclosed that federal prosecutors had closed the investigation and no charges would be brought.

Menendez said Tuesday he felt vindicated by the finding.   

The Democrat had accused Christie -- a Bush-appointed Republican -- of playing politics by publicizing the probe during the 2006 campaign, as Menendez was seeking his first full term in the senate. Christie has long denied the allegation.

The probe focused on Menendez's relationship with an anti-poverty group that he helped secure millions of dollar in federal funding.

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