The New York Times is reporting the Christie Administration's internal investigation into Bridgegate has concluded the governor did nothing wrong, a determination immediately challenged by Democratic critics.

Gov. Chris Christie addresses the Bridgegate emails at a Statehouse press conference in January.
Gov. Chris Christie addresses the Bridgegate emails at a Statehouse press conference in January.
loading...

While no actual findings have been publicly released, the conclusion reported by the Times and the credibility of the man Gov. Christie hired to lead the internal investigation are being questioned by the chairman of the legislative panel probing the scandal, as well as a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.

“I have to question the thoroughness of any final report that does not include information from either Bridget Kelly or Bill Stepien,” said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville), the co-chairman of the Select Committee on Investigation. “Randy Mastro worked for the Port Authority before he came to work for the governor in this investigation (and) I think you have to examine the credibility of any work that Mr. Mastro does and who hired him.”

Mastro is the attorney hand-picked by the Christie Administration to head up the internal investigation. Kelly is the former deputy Chief of Staff who was fired after an email apparently sent from her went public saying, “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Stepien is Christie’s two-time campaign manager who was tapped to chair the Republican State Committee and to do consulting with the Republican National Committee. Christie ended both job prospects when Stepien was implicated in the Bridgegate scandal.

The controversy over the unannounced access lane closures to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee has garnered national attention and has severely damaged Christie’s 2016 presidential aspirations if in fact he had any. Democrats at the national level are also casting doubt on the report’s conclusions.

“It doesn’t pass the smell test when they say, ‘Oh, he’s cleared of wrongdoing,’” said Ian Sams, Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic National Committee. “For a self-appointed ally to say that the governor is clear of wrongdoing doesn’t pass the smell test when you still have voters, constituents, etc. clamoring for answers and the governor won’t even take reporters’ questions. This is a long way from over.”

The governor’s press staff has not responded to a request seeking comment and has not responded to a request to interview Mastro.

More Coverage:

 

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM