New Jersey

Taxpayers Already Paying the Bill Over New Jersey Bridge Scandal

A nearly yearlong investigation into the 2013 lane George Washington Bridge Lane closures resulted in two indictments and a guilty plea — and New Jersey taxpayers have already footed some of the bill.

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 went for the governor's outside counsel, which produced a report that cleared the governor of a connection. The Democrat-led Legislature also racked up about $1 million in legal fees.

Some political observers say the financial cost of investigating the scandal probably won't have much of an effect on voters' opinions since many already have a view on the scandal.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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