New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), a possible 2016 presidential candidate, said Friday that charges against several of his former allies in the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in 2013 made clear that he did not know about the closures as they were unfolding.
“Today’s charges make clear that what I’ve said from Day One is true, I had no knowledge or involvement in the planning or execution of this act,” he said in a statement. “The moment I first learned of this unacceptable behavior I took action, firing staff believed to be accountable, calling for an outside investigation and agreeing to fully cooperate with all appropriate investigations, which I have done.”
“Now 15 months later it is time to let the justice system do its job,” he added.
On Friday, federal prosecutors announced that former Christie ally David Wildstein had pleaded guilty to being part of a conspiracy to close the lanes in order to cause traffic in Fort Lee, N.J., where the mayor had refused to endorsed Christie’s reelection bid.
They also charged Bridget Anne Kelly, a former Christie aide, and Bill Baroni, the ex-leader of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in the case.
Christie also addressed the scandal during an interview with Fox News’ “Special Report.” He blamed public perception of his involvement on media coverage. He said there is no chance the other shoe might drop and that he could eventually be implicated.
“There’s been nothing. So what shoe are you worrying about, Bret?” he asked the show’s host, Bret Baier, according to an excerpt of an interview that airs Friday night.
“It’s not going to happen because it didn’t happen.”
Though the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey said Friday that there would not immediately be more indictments, he would not deny that the office was continuing to investigate the case.
– Updated at 5:09 p.m.