Ex-Christie allies plead not guilty in bridge case

NEWARK, N.J. — Two former political allies of Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie entered not guilty pleas Monday after they were charged for their alleged involvement in politically motivated lane closures of the George Washington Bridge in 2013.

Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, Bridget Kelly, and his former top appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Bill Baroni, entered the pleas through their attorneys in the nine-count indictment unsealed Friday after a yearlong investigation.

Kelly said Friday she is innocent; a defense lawyer also said Baroni is innocent. Baroni will make his first public comments on the case after the hearing.

Bail for both was set at $150,000 and U.S. District Court Judge Susan Wigenton set a tentative trial date of July 7.

David Wildstein, who went to high school with Christie and later became a top official in the Port Authority, pleaded guilty Friday to two criminal counts. He admitted that he helped plot lane closures in Fort Lee on an approach to the world’s busiest bridge as political payback against that community’s Democratic mayor for failing to support Christie’s re-election campaign.

“If David Wildstein was willing to repeatedly lie to settle a petty political grudge, nobody should be surprised at his eagerness to concoct any story that he thinks will help him stay out of federal prison,” said Baroni’s lawyer Michael Baldassarre. “We’re confident that everyone will see this desperate ploy for exactly what this is.”

Christie has not been implicated in the criminal case.

Here are some related aspects.

———

CHRISTIE AND 2016

The charges provide mixed news for Christie as he tries to regain momentum in support of an expected presidential bid.

Christie appears to have been cleared of any allegations that he personally participated in the scheme, but the charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey still hit close to home.

Christie’s aides and backers hope the developments will allow the governor to put this chapter behind him less than a year before the first presidential primaries, even as legal proceedings have just begun. In many ways, the outcome was the best he could have hoped for — little new information and no names mentioned beyond those Christie had already cut ties to.

———

PORT AUTHORITY REFORM:

The indictments and the still-looming investigation involving the former chairman of the Port Authority have underlined the need for reform at the agency. David Samson wasn’t mentioned, meaning the separate investigation stemming from his time as chairman could yield further embarrassment for the bistate authority.

But despite the scandals, its leadership is optimistic.

Port Authority Chairman John Degnan said there’s an opportunity to learn from the indictments, “if there’s anything we missed that we should do.”

Degnan stressed that the agency’s new whistleblower policy is “one of the most aggressive in the country.”

———

PUBLIC MONEY:

New Jersey residents have paid about $10 million in legal costs related to the closure, according to an AP review of documents from the Legislature and the Department of Law and Public Safety.

The largest share — about $7.3 million — went for the governor’s outside counsel, the law firm Gibson, Dunn &Crutcher, which produced a report that cleared the governor of any connection to a politically motivated lane closing. But the Democrat-led Legislature has also racked up some $1 million in legal fees.

The state accrued costs for outside legal counsel used to represent state employees involved in the probe, and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich says the borough’s legal fees have topped $200,000.

It’s unclear exactly how much federal cash has gone into the probe. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said his office does not track how much the investigation costs, but added that every investigation is different and requires differing amounts of resources.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Signs in support of and opposition of the Proposition 1 annexation into RFA are visible along 100th Avenue West on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Voting underway in Edmonds RFA special election

Edmonds residents have until April 22 to send in their ballots to decide if the city will annex into South County Fire.

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Congress member Suzan DelBene speaks at a roundtable on Thursday, April 17 in Monroe, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
DelBene talks possible Medicaid cuts at Monroe roundtable

Health experts worry potential cuts to the program could harm people’s health, strain hospital resources and drive up the cost of care.

Everett officer-involved shooting leads to hours-long standoff at motel

Friday’s incident ended with SWAT members taking a man and woman into custody and the activation of the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team.

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.