Governor

Jamie Fox, New Jersey Lobbyist Charged in Federal Investigation, Dies

What to Know

  • Jamie Fox is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery
  • Former Port Authority chairman David Samson pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy-related count.
  • The government alleges the 61-year-old Fox helped Samson get a regular flight to Samson's vacation home

Jamie Fox, one of New Jersey's best-known political operatives who was charged in an alleged shakedown involving the former Port Authority chairman, died Monday from a long-standing illness. 

The Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home in Lambertville says Jamie Fox died Monday at age 62. The cause of his death is unavailable.

Fox served senators and governors of both parties in New Jersey, and went on to work for Christie as the state's transportation commissioner.

But later, as a lobbyist, he was charged with using helping then-Port Authority chairman David Samson get a regular flight to Samson's vacation home in South Carolina when Fox was a paid consultant and lobbyist for United.

Samson pleaded guilty to a bribery charge last summer, and Fox, who had vowed to fight the allegations, was released on $100,000 bail.

Both Fox and Samson were close allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie. 

Christie said in a statement Monday, "Jamie Fox was one of the most outstanding public servants I have had the honor to know. Regardless of party politics, he stepped forward time and again in service to our state."

He added that Fox was a friend, a kind man beloved by his colleagues, and "tough fighter for those causes and people he believed in every day."

"Mary Pat and I cannot fully express our gratitude for his friendship and his willingnress to serve in my adminstration," said Christie. "We pray tonight for his friends and family for him to rest in peace."

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated Fox was under indictment in the case. Fox was facing a conspiracy count but never indicted. We regret the error. 

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