Second Chris Christie Aide Resigns In ‘Bridgegate’ Flap
Is the scandal surrounding an apparently politically-motivated closing of lanes to the George Washignton Bridge expanding – or being swept under the rug? Yesterday reports hit the wires that one aide to New Jersey governor Chris Christie tendered his resignation; Firday, a second aide – also a close pal of the governor – stepped down:
Another top official has resigned amid an escalating probe into ramp closures to the George Washington Bridge.
As CBS 2′s Marcia Kramer reported Friday, Gov. Chris Christie announced he accepted Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive deputy director Bill Baroni’s resignation, effective immediately. Democrats had called for Baroni to step down over the scandal.
Christie said he was already planning to replace Baroni as he headed into his second term, WCBS 880′s Jim Smith reported.
“This was a change I was going to make anyway in the normal course of the transition,” Christie said. “Bill said this has become such a distraction that he didn’t want to cause any more problems, so he knew he was going, so he went today.
In the course of transition – or in the course of a political scandal over petty revenge and traffic backed up for two hours?
Port Authority Executive Director Pay Foye said he didn’t know anything about the traffic study. Christie went on the defensive
“I don’t have any recollection of even having met the mayor of Fort Lee,” he said.
The scandal threatens not only the start of Christie’s second term, but also his 2016 presidential aspirations. National Democrats have jumped on what they call “bridge-gate, but the governor told Kramer that doesn’t surprise him one bit.
“The national Democrats will make an issue about everything about me. Get used to the new world, everybody. You know we’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy,” Christie said.
