NJ Taxpayers Paying Bridge Investigation Lawyers

New Jersey taxpayers are paying five law firms to represent state employees as lawmakers and prosecutors investigate lane closures near the George Washington Bridge.

WNYC and The Philadelphia Inquirer are reporting that each of the five firms is receiving $340 per hour.

The state Attorney General's Office released retention agreements to the media outlets but redacted the names of the employees who are being represented.

The law firms on the state payroll include those representing former Christie campaign director and aide Bill Steipen, but only for the time he worked for the administration.

Other lawyers are representing press secretary Michael Drewniak and aide Christina Genovese Renna. Renna resigned earlier this year.

Taxpayers are also paying for a lawyer hired by Christie's office.

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