New York

Legal Tab for Town Targeted in “Bridgegate” Tops $225K

The northern New Jersey town targeted in 2013's lane closings at the George Washington Bridge has spent more than $200,000 in legal fees related to the investigations into the closures.

Fort Lee was the subject of an infamous email from Gov. Chris Christie's former deputy chief of staff that said it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." The four-day closures caused massive gridlock and led to several resignations and firings, and have dogged Christie as he contemplates a run for president in 2016.

The Record reported that Fort Lee officials last week approved $15,000 for a special counsel, bringing the total for legal services related to the lane closures to more than $225,000.

The U.S. attorney's office is investigating the closures, and a state legislative committee also has conducted a probe.

Christie has denied any advance knowledge of the closures, and a taxpayer-commissioned report by a law firm cleared him of wrongdoing, though several key figures weren't interviewed.

Since revelations about the closures surfaced in late 2013, two top Christie appointees at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have resigned along with a third Christie ally at the agency. The Port Authority operates bridges, tunnels, airports and ports in the New York metropolitan area. Bridget Kelly, the Christie aide who authored the Fort Lee email, was fired.

Texts and emails between Kelly and Port Authority officials appeared to show the closures were meant as retaliation against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich.

Investigators have sought information from Sokolich as well as the borough's council members, police chief, administrator and EMS coordinator, the Record reported.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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