Defendants file to dismiss lawsuit over bridge lane closures

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Legal motions have been filed to dismiss a lawsuit over the apparently politically motivated lane closures at the George Washington Bridge.

The filings were made Friday by Gov. Chris Christie's former campaign manager, a spokesman for the governor and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Christie isn't named in the lawsuit.

The lane closings snarled traffic in Fort Lee for four days in September 2013. It was later revealed that a Christie staffer and a Port Authority official orchestrated the closings.

The lawsuit by several individuals and businesses alleges deprivation of constitutional rights to due process and freedom of movement, official misconduct, conspiracy and racketeering.

Friday's motions allege the suit doesn't specify who did what and when and doesn't show specifically how the plaintiffs suffered damages.

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