Fort Lee lane closure scandal

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Company type	Government agency
Industry	Transportation
Headquarters	New York City and Newark , United States
Key people	Patrick Foye (Executive Director), Bill Baroni (Deputy Executive Director, former), David Wildstein (Director of Interstate Capital Projects, former), David Samson (Chairman, former)
Products	Bridge and tunnel toll operations, transportation infrastructure management
Owner	Governments of New York and New Jersey

The Fort Lee lane closure controversy, commonly referred to as Bridgegate, was a political incident in New Jersey spanning 2013 to 2014. It involved aides and appointees under then-Governor Chris Christie who orchestrated the shutdown of lanes at the primary toll plaza, resulting in severe traffic congestion in Fort Lee.

On September 9, 2013, during the morning rush hour, two out of three toll lanes serving a local entrance were closed without prior notification to local authorities or emergency responders. This action prompted Fort Lee officials to declare a public safety emergency. The congestion persisted until September 13, when Patrick Foye, Executive Director of the Port Authority, ordered the lanes reopened, describing the closures as "hasty and ill-informed" with possible life-threatening consequences.

Subsequent inquiries indicated the lane closures were politically motivated acts of retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat who declined to endorse Christie's 2013 reelection campaign. Central figures in the scheme included David Wildstein, who directed the lane shutdowns, and Bill Baroni, who falsely asserted that the closures were part of a traffic study.

The investigation, led by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, culminated in nine-count indictments against Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's deputy chief of staff, Baroni, and Wildstein. Wildstein pleaded guilty and testified against Baroni and Kelly, both of whom were found guilty in November 2016. Additionally, David Samson entered a guilty plea for an unrelated felony uncovered during the probe.

At that time, Christie was considered a frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. The scandal severely impaired his campaign momentum and contributed to his early withdrawal following the New Hampshire primary. Christie admitted that Bridgegate "was a factor" in his not being selected as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential candidate. Both prosecution and defense presented arguments asserting that Christie had contemporaneous knowledge of the lane closures, marking the first formal allegation of his awareness during the events.

Following appeals by the convicted individuals, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned their convictions in 2020. The Court ruled that federal fraud statutes were inapplicable because no property or money was acquired through the scheme.

Background

The George Washington Bridge, featuring two levels, is recognized as the world's most heavily trafficked motor-vehicle bridge, with tolls collected from vehicles traveling from New Jersey into New York. It manages 29 toll lanes spread over three separate plazas, including twelve lanes at the primary upper-level plaza and additional access points from Fort Lee. During peak travel times, three lanes were designated exclusively for local traffic from Fort Lee, separated from the busier highway lanes by movable cones.

Ownership of the bridge lies with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), which is overseen by a Board of Commissioners. By an informal arrangement, the governor of New Jersey appoints both the chairman and deputy executive director, while the governor of New York selects the vice-chairman and executive director.

Chris Christie, a Republican who assumed office as Governor of New Jersey in 2009 and secured re-election in 2013, named Bill Baroni as deputy executive director of the Port Authority during his initial term. Baroni subsequently brought on David Wildstein—a political associate and blogger known to Christie since their high school years—in May 2010, following Christie's suggestion. Wildstein served as director of interstate capital projects, ranking as New Jersey’s second-highest official within the Port Authority and frequently acted as Baroni’s representative at significant meetings.

Events

In the week beginning August 4, 2013, Governor Christie met with David Samson, who was appointed by Christie as chairman of the Port Authority Board of Commissioners. John Wisniewski, deputy speaker of the New Jersey Assembly and head of its Transportation Committee investigating the lane closures, claimed that Wildstein—the Christie appointee responsible for ordering the closures—likely understood that this meeting was connected to those events. This inference was drawn from subpoenaed documents Wildstein submitted that referenced the meeting amid redacted unrelated information.

On August 13, Bridget Anne Kelly, deputy chief of staff in Christie’s office, sent a brief email to Wildstein stating: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Wildstein responded immediately with: "Got it."

On September 6, Wildstein directed George Washington Bridge manager Robert Durando not to notify anyone in Fort Lee—including local law enforcement—about the impending lane closures. Durando found this directive unusual since he had never before been instructed to withhold such information throughout his 35-year tenure. Wildstein justified this by saying that informing people would affect the study’s results and he wanted to observe what would occur naturally.

Also on that day, Wildstein emailed Kelly to report that Christie had authorized $60,000 for a traffic study in Springfield Township, located in Union County. The Democratic mayor of Springfield, David Amlen—who had not supported Christie’s re-election campaign—was only informed about this funding approval after Christie secured victory.

Closure

On Monday, September 9, 2013, two out of the three exclusive toll lanes at a Fort Lee entrance to the upper level of the George Washington Bridge were closed to local traffic and reassigned to mainline highway flow under Wildstein’s directive, without informing Fort Lee officials. This action resulted in severe traffic congestion, causing substantial delays for school buses and emergency services.

The coordinator for Fort Lee’s emergency medical services reported that these traffic backups slowed paramedic response times, including a 9-1-1 call involving Florence Genova, who subsequently died from cardiac arrest. In several instances, emergency personnel were compelled to abandon ambulances and proceed on foot due to the gridlock. Assistance to a man experiencing chest pains was delayed by nearly an hour because of these conditions.

Within hours, Port Authority representatives received warnings that the traffic delays posed significant risks to public safety. At 9:29 a.m., Matthew Bell sent an email highlighting an “urgent matter of public safety in Fort Lee.” Borough Administrator Peggy Thomas voiced concerns regarding the absence of prior notification to police and emergency responders. Later, at 11:24 a.m., Tina Lado informed Wildstein and Baroni that the lane closures were impeding police and ambulance operations, citing specific emergencies including a cardiac arrest; these alerts were reportedly disregarded.

During the federal trial of Baroni and Kelly, Fort Lee Police Chief Keith Bendul testified that he confronted Robert Durando about terminating the traffic study due to safety concerns. Durando requested confidentiality about their discussion and advised contacting Baroni for further action.

Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Kelly emailed Wildstein seeking information on any response to Mayor Mark Sokolich; Wildstein replied with “Radio silence,” referencing Sokolich along with other Democratic mayors.

PAPD Lieutenant Thomas “Chip” Michaels instructed officers not to relocate traffic cones and personally drove Wildstein around Fort Lee, providing him with traffic updates via text messages.

On September 10, Mayor Sokolich sent a text message to Baroni highlighting significant lane reductions that were disrupting school transportation. Kelly responded with a sarcastic remark about voters supporting Christie’s opponent Barbara Buono.

PAPD Officer Steve Pisciotta reported dangerous conditions over the radio but was ordered by Deputy Inspector Darcy Licorish to “shut up” and refrain from publicly discussing the closures. Later, Lieutenant Michaels and Sergeant Nadine Rhem issued in-person warnings to Pisciotta.

On September 11, Robert Durando noted that permanently shutting down automated toll lanes would raise annual toll collector expenses by approximately $600,000 due to increased overtime and reserve staffing needs, along with additional police costs for extended rush hour coverage.

Christie, Wildstein, Samson, and Baroni appeared together at the World Trade Center commemoration on September 11. Wildstein testified that Baroni mockingly informed Christie about Fort Lee residents’ frustration with traffic delays; Christie responded dismissively.

On September 12, Port Authority engineers reported that delays experienced by local traffic greatly outweighed any time savings achieved for highway commuters. An internal analysis estimated local drivers lost 2,800 vehicle-hours daily compared to a gain of only 966 vehicle-hours for I-95 traffic.

Mayor Sokolich wrote to Baroni accusing Port Authority police of misleading commuters by blaming him for the traffic crisis.

John Ma, chief of staff to Port Authority executive director Patrick Foye, with Foye’s awareness, alerted columnist John Cichowski that Wildstein had ordered lane closures without conducting a traffic study. This tip attracted Foye’s attention.

Reopening and immediate aftermath

On the morning of September 13, 2013, Patrick Foye, the Port Authority’s executive director appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, issued a firm directive via email at 7:44 a.m. to reopen the lanes on the George Washington Bridge. Foye condemned the lane closures as "rash and misguided," highlighting that they contravened Port Authority regulations as well as federal and state laws. He instructed his spokesperson to make this position public; however, Bill Baroni sought to block any disclosure in an effort to keep the public unaware. Three hours later, Baroni forwarded Foye’s email to Regina Egea, who managed the Port Authority under Governor Christie.

Foye testified that Baroni twice pressured him that day to reinstate the lane closures, citing demands from Trenton, which Foye interpreted as directives from Christie's office. Foye declined both times, confirming he had already reopened the lanes. Nevertheless, he authorized a press release that falsely attributed the closures to a "traffic study."

Internal communications exposed how Christie’s allies within the Port Authority coordinated efforts to conceal their involvement following significant traffic congestion in Fort Lee. As media scrutiny intensified in September, officials aligned their messaging. On September 13, The Record covered widespread commuter frustration over delays and Fort Lee officials’ unsuccessful attempts to obtain explanations. When a Wall Street Journal reporter questioned Port Authority spokesman Coleman on September 16 about the lane closures, inquiries were escalated to Baroni and Wildstein, who routed responses through Christie’s press secretary Michael Drewniak. Coleman declined to comment without explicit instructions.

Upon further contact from the Journal reporter on September 17, Baroni directed Wildstein to "Call Drewniak." Email exchanges revealed collaboration among Christie appointees including Baroni, Wildstein, PA Chairman Samson, Drewniak, and Communications Director Maria Comella in managing the media fallout. Samson cautioned that Foye was "playing in traffic" after an internal leak suggested discord within the Port Authority regarding the lane shutdowns.

The communications also contained ethnic slurs aimed at Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, demonstrating political hostility within Christie’s inner circle. Wildstein disparagingly referred to Sokolich as "this little Serbian," despite Sokolich’s Croatian-American background; Baroni made comparable remarks in text messages.

By October 9, Philippe Danielides, senior adviser to Samson, asked Wildstein about releasing an op-ed or statement concerning the GWB "study," with Wildstein confirming plans were in progress and copying Baroni on the correspondence. Wildstein met with Drewniak in person on December 4. On December 6, Wildstein announced his resignation, citing the controversy as a "distraction." Governor Christie announced the immediate resignations of both Baroni and Wildstein on December 13.

David Samson allegations

Following the lane closures scandal, David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority, faced media allegations of ethical misconduct and conflicts of interest. Reports asserted that Samson’s law firm and its clients benefited financially from Port Authority contracts and projects involving New Jersey government funding or tax incentives. Additional claims suggested political advantages for Governor Christie and financial rewards for his associates during Samson’s tenure as chairman. Patrick Foye stated that Samson lacked the ethical credibility necessary to lead the agency.

Numerous New Jersey officials and media outlets such as The Star-Ledger, Daily News, The Record, and The New York Times demanded Samson’s resignation. On March 4, Bergen County freeholders urged Samson and other New Jersey-appointed commissioners to step down due to failures in oversight.

Although Governor Christie expressed strong support for Samson in February 2014, he announced Samson’s immediate resignation on March 28 following a report recommending reforms at the Port Authority. The report did not implicate Samson in Bridgegate or related accusations; he had declined interview requests. On April 29, Christie nominated former state attorney general John J. Degnan as Samson’s successor, who was subsequently confirmed by the New Jersey Senate.

On July 14, 2016, Samson pled guilty to a felony charge related to conspiring to obstruct a United Airlines hangar project aimed at reinstating a discontinued Newark-to-Columbia flight route. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman did not reveal whether Samson would cooperate with investigations into Bridgegate.

Possible motivations

The indictments issued in May 2015 against Wildstein, Baroni, and Kelly claim that the lane closures were intended as political retaliation against Fort Lee's mayor, Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, due to his refusal to endorse Christie in the 2013 gubernatorial race. Sokolich mentioned being approached once for an endorsement in early 2013, several months before Bridget Kelly sent the August e-mail stating it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" to David Wildstein. Although representing different parties, Christie campaigned on bipartisan support and obtained backing from numerous Democrats.

In a February 6, 2014 interview with The Record, Sokolich revealed that the Christie administration had sought his endorsement since approximately 2010, including hosting a luncheon at the governor’s residence with other mayors such as Hoboken’s Dawn Zimmer. A photograph from a December 8, 2011 press event in Teaneck shows Christie alongside local mayors including Sokolich. In 2012, Wildstein accompanied Sokolich and his family on a tour of the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, remarking, "I've been told to be nice to you." Matt Mowers, Christie's regional political director, held frequent meetings with Sokolich during 2013 to discuss potential endorsements. Despite these efforts, Sokolich ultimately supported Barbara Buono, Christie's Democratic challenger. At a January 9, 2014 press conference, Christie denied having any knowledge of Sokolich.

Correspondence reveals that Wildstein and Baroni were aware the lane closures would negatively impact Sokolich. In an e-mail to Bill Stepien, Wildstein disparagingly referred to Sokolich as "this little Serbian" (although Sokolich is Croatian-American). Baroni also mentioned "Serbia" in text messages.

The May 2015 indictment included text messages demonstrating that the closures were orchestrated to cause maximum disruption for drivers and residents of Fort Lee. The timing targeted the first day of school and redirected traffic toward toll lanes to increase congestion deliberately. The New York Times characterized the scheme as utilizing government resources to punish an elected official who declined to support their political ally.

Another explanation proposed that the closures sought to sabotage Sokolich’s efforts promoting Hudson Lights, a $1 billion redevelopment project near the bridge’s access point. Because the project's success depended heavily on access to the George Washington Bridge, restricting traffic could reduce its value. During the closures, on September 12, 2013, Sokolich expressed apprehension about the development's prospects in an e-mail.

Another suggested motive was retaliation for Sokolich’s opposition to a recent toll increase imposed by the Port Authority.

On January 9, 2014, Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City, claimed that he too was targeted by Christie’s administration after refusing to endorse Christie in 2013. A September 9, 2013 e-mail from Wildstein hinted at similar treatment toward Fulop when discussing responses to Sokolich concerning toll lane closures: "Radio silence. His name comes right after Mayor Fulop."

Investigations

The New York Times revealed that e-mails related to the lane closures might suggest the exploitation of government assets for political gain, which could constitute a criminal offense. Legal analysts indicated that federal prosecutors might examine whether the obstruction of interstate commerce on the bridge breached federal statutes. Both federal and state prosecutors could concentrate their efforts more on potential concealment activities rather than the traffic delays themselves.

On January 17, 2014, Alan Zegas, representing David Wildstein, announced that Wildstein would provide cooperation if granted immunity from prosecution by the appropriate federal and state authorities; however, no such immunity offer had been extended by the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

A bipartisan legislative panel named the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation was formed on January 27, 2014, to carry forward inquiries beyond the initial investigation conducted by the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Assembly Transportation Committee investigation

Assemblyman John Wisniewski initiated an inquiry on October 2, 2013, aiming to determine whether the lane closures were driven by political motives.

The committee’s first hearing took place on November 25, 2013, during which Bill Baroni, speaking on behalf of the Port Authority (PA), testified without being sworn in. Baroni stated that David Wildstein had commissioned a study to evaluate if redirecting two Fort Lee toll lanes to mainline traffic would alleviate commuter congestion. He contended that Fort Lee drivers used an excessive proportion of lanes relative to their traffic volume. Nevertheless, committee members questioned his data and highlighted other toll lane distributions across the bridge.

Baroni presented traffic statistics indicating that travel times on the mainline improved by approximately four minutes on two days after the closures and apologized for inadequate communication with local officials and residents. Wisniewski described the closures as either "clumsy and ham-handed" or deliberate political sabotage, emphasizing Wildstein’s absence from providing testimony.

Documents obtained through subpoenas uncovered a text message exchange where Wildstein complimented Baroni’s presentation and mentioned favorable "Trenton feedback." Senator Kevin J. O'Toole publicly supported Baroni’s statements, implying prior coordination with Wildstein and possibly Baroni.

On December 9, 2013, Wisniewski subpoenaed Port Authority officials for sworn testimony. The committee had gained subpoena authority following PA’s obstruction in an unrelated toll increase investigation. Robert Durando, manager of the George Washington Bridge (GWB), disclosed concerns about retaliation after following Wildstein’s directive to close lanes without informing officials or the public. Both Durando and Cedrick Fulton confirmed that Wildstein assured them he would notify PA executive Foye. Foye denied awareness of any traffic study until he ordered its cessation in September 2013 and attributed responsibility to Wildstein while suspecting Baroni's involvement. Fulton characterized the abrupt lane closure order as atypical given that major traffic changes usually involve extensive planning.

Redacted documents subpoenaed from Wildstein were released to media outlets on January 8, 2014, connecting Bridget Kelly, deputy chief of staff in Governor Christie’s office, to ordering lane closures with full knowledge they would cause significant gridlock. Governor Christie denied prior awareness, condemned Kelly’s actions, and vowed accountability.

A Republican Assembly member criticized the insufficient time allotted to review over 900 pages of subpoenaed material before hearings, arguing it compromised a bipartisan approach.

On January 9, 2014, David Wildstein declined to testify before the committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination; subsequently, the committee voted to hold him in contempt.

Wisniewski maintained that laws were likely violated through using public infrastructure—the bridge and police resources—for political retaliation. He expressed doubt that Governor Christie was unaware of his aides’ conduct and suggested impeachment might be warranted if Christie had prior knowledge.

Special legislative investigative committees

On January 16, 2014, both the New Jersey Assembly and Senate established committees to assume responsibility for the inquiry previously managed by the Assembly Transportation Committee. The Assembly's panel engaged Reid Schar, a former assistant U.S. attorney notable for prosecuting ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, to serve as special counsel.

The Assembly reinstated subpoena authority and promptly issued subpoenas to two organizations and eighteen individuals associated with Governor Christie’s administration, his 2013 campaign, and the Port Authority—excluding Christie himself. Those subpoenaed were obligated to produce documents and communications dating back to September 1, 2012, pertaining to the reassignment of toll lanes during the week of September 9, 2013, as well as any attempts to conceal these activities.

New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation

On January 21, 2014, Assemblyman Wisniewski and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg announced the consolidation of the Senate and Assembly committees into a bipartisan joint investigative committee consisting of twelve members, co-chaired by both leaders. Although initially concentrating on the Bridgegate scandal, the committee was empowered to investigate other allegations involving the Christie administration.

The committee comprised eight Assembly members (five Democrats and three Republicans) alongside four Senators (three Democrats and one Republican). Despite Republicans representing 40% of the legislature, a bipartisan composition was preserved. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) was added as the final member on January 27, despite his prior mentions in related email communications.

Subpoenas were reissued with original deadlines maintained for February 3. Counsel for Stepien and Kelly invoked Fifth Amendment rights and declined compliance; however, on February 10 the committee dismissed these objections and pursued enforcement to obtain documents. All Republican members abstained from this vote, citing inadequate time to evaluate legal arguments.

On February 10, eighteen additional subpoenas were issued targeting individuals within the governor’s office and Port Authority, including deputies and commissioners linked to Christie. Requests also encompassed flight logs of Christie's state helicopter during the lane closure period (none were located) and files compiled on Fort Lee Mayor Sokolich by Christie’s campaign and office staff.

Additional subpoenas sought documents related to preparations for Bill Baroni’s November 25, 2013 testimony before the Assembly Transportation Committee. Philip Kwon, a Christie appointee involved in preparing Baroni’s testimony, was among those subpoenaed. The committee also pursued records concerning toll increases and Christie’s termination of the Access to the Region's Core project due to budget overruns.

By February 19, concerns emerged regarding Senator O'Toole’s prior knowledge before Baroni’s testimony after text messages indicated coordination with Baroni’s talking points. This raised questions about O'Toole’s ongoing participation on the committee.

Bonnie Watson Coleman resigned from the panel on February 28 after urging Christie’s resignation over a culture characterized by bullying; Paul D. Moriarty succeeded her in March.

In late March, Wisniewski announced intentions to subpoena records from Randy Mastro’s internal investigation conducted for the governor’s office following a lack of cooperation. Mastro indicated that materials would be provided upon subpoena in compliance with concurrent federal investigations. By mid-April, lists of interviewees were received; documents marked privileged were released publicly without subpoena while additional requests remained possible.

On April 9, a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled that Stepien and Kelly could withhold subpoenaed materials because the requests were overly broad and infringed upon protections against self-incrimination and unlawful search and seizure. The judge recommended issuing narrower subpoenas or obtaining electronic records directly from servers as alternatives. The ruling also questioned whether the committee possessed jurisdictional authority to compel document production absent immunity provisions.

Wisniewski anticipated issuing more than ten subpoenas for oral testimony. On April 22, four initial witnesses were subpoenaed: Christina Genovese Renna (former intergovernmental affairs director), Pat Schuber (Port Authority commissioner), Patrick Foye (Port Authority executive), and Michael Drewniak (Christie aide). All consented to testify; subsequent subpoenas included Matt Mowers (former campaign staffer) and Kevin O'Dowd (Christie’s chief of staff nominee). Testimony sessions were scheduled between May and June; some were delayed due to ongoing federal investigations.

On May 7, Michael DuHaime, Christie’s chief political strategist, was subpoenaed for documents. His interview with Gibson Dunn revealed he had informed Christie in December 2013 that Wildstein, Stepien, and Kelly possessed prior knowledge of a "traffic study," contradicting Christie's public statements denying such awareness.

Committee proceedings slowed in July out of respect for federal investigations. On July 17, Regina Egea, Christie's Chief of Staff who learned about lane closures only after their reversal and assisted in preparing Baroni’s testimony but was not implicated in misconduct, provided testimony before the committee.

Port Authority inquiry

On October 16, 2013, the Port Authority declared it would conduct an internal review, with its inspector general initiating a formal investigation on December 10. Subsequently, on February 16, 2014, Executive Director Pat Foye mandated a deeper probe into PA Police Lieutenant Thomas "Chip" Michaels concerning his involvement in transporting Wildstein during the lane closures and allegations that he directed motorists’ anger toward Mayor Sokolich. Michaels had prior knowledge of the shutdown. Notably, Michaels and his brother Jeffrey—a GOP lobbyist—have been lifelong acquaintances of Christie.

The Port Authority’s inquiry reportedly interviewed only three individuals apart from Wildstein and reached conclusions within a few weeks, despite officials maintaining that the investigation was ongoing when questioned publicly.

Federal investigation by U.S. Attorney

On January 9, 2014, Paul J. Fishman, serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, launched a federal probe into the toll lane shutdowns. This office holds jurisdiction over the case due to the Port Authority’s status as an interstate compact. The matter was referred to Fishman’s office by the Port Authority Office of Inspector General to evaluate any possible violations of federal law.

The U.S. Attorney’s office issued grand jury subpoenas demanding documents connected to the controversy from various parties, including Christie's 2013 re-election campaign and the New Jersey Republican State Committee. Additionally, Christie's gubernatorial office received a subpoena. The FBI provided investigative support during this process.

Prosecutors conducted interviews with Mayor Sokolich on February 21 and spoke with Governor Christie’s press secretary Michael Drewniak as a "fact witness" on February 27. Drewniak was also subpoenaed by a legislative committee and appeared in released documentation.

In March, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York briefly served a subpoena to PA Chairman David Samson but withdrew it due to jurisdictional overlap with Fishman’s investigation.

Drewniak appeared before the grand jury on April 4, confirming that a grand jury had been convened with authority to issue indictments and subpoenas without legal counsel present. This same grand jury had reviewed subpoenaed evidence.

David Wildstein met with federal prosecutors over several days in late March; earlier in the year, Charlie McKenna also cooperated with investigators.

On April 25, Fishman subpoenaed all records related to the scandal from the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation, which agreed to comply.

By May 1, PA attorney Phillip Kwon was subpoenaed by the grand jury; he reportedly assisted in drafting Bill Baroni’s unsworn testimony and sought Port Authority coverage for his legal expenses.

In September 2014, anonymous federal officials stated no proof had emerged linking Christie to prior awareness or orchestration of the closures but emphasized that the inquiry remained active; media outlets that prematurely declared Christie cleared later retracted those reports.

In December 2014, Christie voluntarily participated in a two-hour interview with federal prosecutors and FBI agents described as professional and courteous.

The federal probe ultimately resulted in Wildstein pleading guilty and led to criminal charges against Baroni and Kelly.

U.S. Senate investigation

In December 2013, the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation initiated an investigation into the lane closures. Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) called on Samson and Vice Chairman Scott Rechler to provide explanations regarding the Port Authority's management of the incident and its aftermath. Rockefeller, who criticized the Port Authority’s conduct, voiced concerns about "political appointees misusing their authority to obstruct interstate commerce and compromise safety without public notification." He also pointed out that, based on testimony before the New Jersey Assembly Transportation Committee, no traffic study appeared to be in progress. Additionally, Rockefeller requested that the United States Department of Transportation conduct a review.

The Port Authority’s reply, signed by board secretary Karen Eastman, recapped testimony given on December 9, 2013, by Foye and other agency officials. It confirmed that Wildstein directed the closures on September 6, 2013, despite engineers raising alarms about increased local traffic congestion and the absence of notification to Fort Lee officials. Wildstein also instructed bridge personnel not to inform Foye. The letter disclosed that the Port Authority board had not authorized Baroni’s November 25 presentation claiming the closures were part of a traffic study and acknowledged that established procedures for planning and notifying stakeholders were bypassed. However, it did not clarify the rationale behind ordering the closures, describing the event as "anomalous." Rockefeller emphasized there was "no evidence" supporting any legitimate traffic study and underscored that standard Port Authority protocols for lane closures were disregarded.

Additional investigations related to closures

The scandal involving lane closures prompted further inquiries by both the Manhattan District Attorney and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These investigations focus on the Pulaski Skyway, an elevated highway connecting Newark and Jersey City. Reports from June 2014 revealed probes into potential securities violations concerning Governor Christie’s allocation of Port Authority funds toward Skyway repairs during 2010–2011, which diverted money initially designated for a canceled Hudson River rail tunnel project.

Indictments

On May 1, 2015, indictments were unsealed by the U.S. Attorney charging Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly with nine counts including conspiracy and fraud—specifically conspiracy to commit fraud involving misuse of property belonging to an organization receiving federal benefits. At the same time, prosecutors disclosed David Wildstein’s plea agreement; he had pled guilty to conspiracy charges in January and agreed to testify against Baroni and Kelly.

The charges claim that the lane shutdowns were retaliatory measures targeting Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich due to his refusal to endorse Christie politically. Prosecutors contended that public resources were exploited as part of this vendetta, adversely affecting Fort Lee residents. Kelly denied any misconduct while Baroni challenged the indictment’s reliance on his prior unsworn testimony, which prosecutors maintained was provided without immunity.

Initially scheduled for July 7, 2015, the trial experienced several postponements—to November 16, 2015; then May 16, 2016; and ultimately September 12, 2016—to give defense attorneys time to examine roughly 1.5 million pages of prosecution materials. Prosecutors aimed to keep these documents confidential to safeguard the privacy of unindicted co-conspirators; defense lawyers opposed this broad restriction. U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton ruled in favor of confidentiality measures, limiting access solely to defendants and their representatives and restricting public exposure to evidence.

Media organizations filed requests seeking access to sealed records, including prosecutors’ list of unindicted co-conspirators—individuals believed aware of but not charged in connection with the conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney’s office argued that disclosing these names could unjustly damage reputations without substantive evidentiary benefit and impede future legal proceedings.

On May 10, 2016, Judge Wigenton ordered disclosure of a list identifying persons against whom there was sufficient evidence as conspirators. Governor Christie expressed confidence that his name would not be included. However, after an emergency motion filed by one individual listed as John Doe, the release was deferred. Subsequently, a federal appellate court ruled in September 2016 that these identities would remain sealed until trial.

Separately, media outlets sought another government list naming individuals who were aware of but not directly involved in the conspiracy, reflecting ongoing examination of those connected to the scandal.

Trial and conviction

On September 14, 2016, a jury consisting of seven women, five men, and four alternates was empaneled. Bill Palatucci, a former law partner of Christie and a member of the Republican National Committee, recognized as one of Christie's closest advisors, was identified as a potential witness.

During the prosecution’s opening remarks on September 19, 2016, it was claimed that on the third day of the lane closures at the World Trade Center site, evidence would demonstrate that Wildstein and Baroni boasted to Christie about deliberately creating traffic congestion in Fort Lee while disregarding calls from Mayor Sokolich. Wildstein was anticipated to testify that he was the originator of the plan.

The prosecution’s presentation spanned nearly four weeks, with David Wildstein providing testimony over more than eight days. After concluding on October 13, the defense commenced its case, emphasizing Bridget Anne Kelly’s assertion that the lane closures were intended as "crude humor." Bill Baroni contended that the traffic disruptions were part of a legitimate experiment designed to evaluate congestion reduction by removing lanes leading into Fort Lee. The defense rested on October 26.

Following five days of deliberations beginning November 4, 2016, the jury convicted Baroni and Kelly on all charges, basing their decision on testimonies from 35 witnesses alongside additional evidence.

Sentencing

In 2017, Baroni received a prison sentence of 24 months; Kelly was sentenced to 18 months; Wildstein was given three years of probation along with 500 hours of community service.

Appeals and resentencing

Baroni and Kelly appealed their convictions. On November 27, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld most counts but reversed the determination that they violated travelers’ civil rights since no established federal right to interstate travel exists. The court mandated resentencing for the remaining seven counts. Upon resentencing, Baroni was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Kelly was given a 13-month sentence and ordered to pay restitution exceeding $14,000 for lost toll revenue.

Kelly’s legal team petitioned the Supreme Court, which agreed to review Kelly v. United States during its 2019 term. Oral arguments held on January 14, 2020, revealed that justices appeared receptive to Baroni and Kelly’s position, questioning the breadth of the fraud charges. On May 7, 2020, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned their convictions, ruling that although their conduct harmed Fort Lee residents, no property or money was directly involved; therefore, fraud charges were invalid. Justice Elena Kagan remarked that "not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime."

Official misconduct case against Christie

In September 2016, Teaneck activist William J. Brennan filed a complaint in Fort Lee municipal court accusing Christie of official misconduct. The complaint alleged that Christie failed to halt the lane closures after becoming aware of them on September 11, 2013, thereby depriving Fort Lee and its mayor of community benefits.

Judge Roy F. McGeady accepted jurisdiction in October 2016 due to the Fort Lee venue and found probable cause suggesting Christie committed official misconduct, issuing a summons accordingly. The Bergen County prosecutor's office assumed responsibility; however, Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal and Attorney General Christopher Porrino recused themselves because of previous associations with Christie. The case was then managed by their deputies, and a request for appointment of a special prosecutor was denied.

In January 2017, a state Superior Court judge rejected Christie's motion to dismiss but vacated the probable cause determination citing denial of counsel rights and ordered a new hearing. Prosecutors later chose not to pursue charges further. Nevertheless, in February 2017, a Bergen County municipal judge ruled that the case remained active and permitted it to proceed by issuing a new criminal summons while asserting Christie had knowledge of the traffic disruptions.

By March 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the complaint stating they lacked sufficient evidence to prove official misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gibson Dunn report

On January 16, 2014, the governor’s office engaged Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to conduct an internal inquiry and assist with the ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney. The firm was also responsible for managing document retention and evaluating the operations within the governor’s office. Leading the effort was Randy Mastro, a seasoned attorney with prior experience as New York City’s Deputy Mayor and Assistant U.S. Attorney, and a long-time associate of Rudy Giuliani.

In February, Mastro sought to interview Wildstein, Sokolich, and Kelly about the toll lane shutdowns; however, all three declined to participate.

The report was published on March 27, 2014, concluding there was no proof that Christie had advance knowledge of the bridge "lane realignment." It assigned responsibility for the closures primarily to Bridget Kelly and David Wildstein. Wildstein asserted he informed Christie at a September 11 memorial event, but Christie did not recall this conversation. The report highlighted Wildstein’s nervousness at a December 2013 dinner and identified him as the originator of the lane closure plan. While Kelly and Bill Stepien were aware of the plan, they were reportedly unaware of any illicit intent. The findings indicated no evidence that Stepien or Baroni had knowledge of wrongdoing, although they understood lanes would be closed.

Christie expressed surprise over his aides’ conduct, remarking that "Sometimes, people do inexplicably stupid things." The investigation pointed to political retaliation against Sokolich as a motive but did not elaborate on specifics; it noted Kelly’s frustration following Sokolich’s refusal to endorse Christie.

Drawing from more than 250,000 documents and interviews with 75 witnesses—including Christie and other administration officials but excluding Port Authority personnel—the interviews were conducted without oath and transcripts were initially withheld from public release. The investigation cost was estimated to exceed $1 million. Additionally, the report rejected claims that Hurricane Sandy relief funds were tied to project approvals.

In April 2014, IRS filings disclosed that Gibson Dunn had contributed $10,000 to the Republican Governors Association, which Christie chaired at that time; previous contributions from 2009 to 2012 totaled $55,000. No donations were made by the firm to the Democratic Governors Association between 2012 and 2014.

Following Assemblyman Wisniewski’s April 11 request for interview documentation, Gibson Dunn submitted a list of interviewees; notes were publicly released on April 14. Without audio recordings or full transcripts available, Wisniewski criticized the report’s findings as relying on "hearsay." Nearly 370 instances showed witnesses unable to recall specific details of events. The notes also revealed extensive connections between governmental functions and political strategies within Christie's office, including efforts to secure endorsements from Democrats and punish mayors who withheld support during Christie's re-election campaign.

In July 2015, a federal court mandated that materials used in compiling the report be shared with defense attorneys representing indicted individuals.

Reaction to report

The report was widely condemned as a whitewash, with critics arguing it functioned more as a legal defense than an impartial inquiry. Concerns were raised about investigators’ inability to interview key participants and potential conflicts of interest due to the lead attorney’s political ties to Christie. Legislative committee co-chairs Wisniewski and Weinberg denounced the report as partial and incomplete, emphasizing that lawyers retained by Christie's administration conducted it without interviewing principal figures—Baroni, Kelly, Samson, Stepien, and Wildstein all declined requests for interviews.

Editorial commentary also highlighted a close personal relationship between one of the investigating attorneys and Christie. The report faced accusations of gender bias in its treatment of aide Bridget Kelly.

Public opinion reflected skepticism: an April 2014 Monmouth University poll found that 52% of New Jersey residents believed the report aimed primarily at safeguarding Christie's image. Similarly, a Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 56% of registered voters regarded it as a "whitewash," while only 36% considered it credible.

In May 2014, Bill Stepien’s attorney demanded a formal retraction of assertions claiming Stepien misled Christie.

On December 16, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Davis Wigenton sharply rebuked Gibson Dunn for intentionally failing to preserve interview notes during their investigation. She stated: "The taxpayers of New Jersey paid [Gibson Dunn] millions for a transparent and thorough investigation. What they got instead was opacity and gamesmanship. They deserve better."

Christie's responses

On December 2, 2013, Christie accused Democrats of politicizing the hearings related to the lane closures. He later admitted that he became aware of his staff’s participation only after subpoenaed emails were revealed. When questioned about his involvement, Christie responded with humor, denying any part in the matter. He professed ignorance regarding the Fort Lee lane shutdowns and expressed skepticism about the necessity of three dedicated lanes, despite testimony confirming their heavy use by commuters.

Christie maintained that he was unaware of the closures, asserting that his team acted without his approval and that he would have intervened had he known. In 2016, his deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, testified that Christie had been untruthful in attempting to distance himself from the scandal.

In December 2013, reports emerged suggesting Christie contacted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to express dissatisfaction with Patrick Foye, the Port Authority executive director overseeing the closure investigation. Christie denied making this call, although independent journalistic sources verified it. During the federal trial of those involved, testimony confirmed that Cuomo was informed about Christie's complaints concerning Foye.

On December 13, Christie announced the resignations of Baroni and Wildstein but maintained that the lane closures were not acts of political retaliation. He stated that his senior staff had assured him they were unaware of the situation. Nevertheless, text messages from a Christie aide implied dishonesty regarding staff involvement; Christie contested these allegations.

At a January 9, 2014 press briefing, Christie issued an apology for the lane closures, described his staff’s conduct as "embarrassing," and terminated Bridget Kelly for dishonesty. He reprimanded campaign manager Bill Stepien and pledged full cooperation with ongoing investigations. Christie claimed he had not been in recent contact with Wildstein; however, both were photographed together at a September 11 memorial event during the period when the closures occurred.

Christie recounted efforts to determine staff awareness by demanding immediate disclosure within an hour during a senior staff meeting held weeks earlier. His office rejected assertions made by Wildstein’s attorney that Christie had prior knowledge of the closures before they became public.

In February 2014, Christie complied with subpoenas issued by legislative and federal authorities, providing requested documentation.

On April 17, Christie enacted changes based on an internal review by dissolving the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and appointing Patrick E. Hobbs—dean of Seton Hall University School of Law and Christie's alma mater—as ombudsman to enhance ethics and accountability within his administration. Critics highlighted previous instances where staff used personal email accounts to evade oversight.

During an April town hall meeting, Christie denied cultivating a "culture of divisiveness" that led to retaliatory lane closures, emphasizing bipartisan accomplishments instead. Editorial commentary argued that Christie's confrontational leadership style had indeed fostered such an environment.

Following the May 2015 indictment of Baroni and Kelly and Wildstein’s guilty plea, Christie asserted that federal investigation results exonerated him, reaffirming his lack of knowledge or involvement in orchestrating or executing the closures.

In a June 2023 CNN town hall event, Christie reiterated that he had no awareness of plans related to the lane closures.

Political impact

Leaders within New Jersey's Democratic Party strongly condemned Christie and the lane closure incident. Fort Lee's Mayor Sokolich described the situation as "a trivial political vendetta," while Barbara Buono contended that Christie's intimidating leadership style obstructed funding opportunities for his challengers, despite the state's Democratic majority. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) released a series of videos questioning whether the closures were driven by "Christie's political retribution," including a satirical clip coinciding with a January Assembly hearing, a Super Bowl-themed digital advertisement in early February, and a parody titled "Look Back" on Facebook.

Rudy Giuliani, a staunch supporter of Christie, declared that if Christie had been dishonest, his political career would be effectively over. Although Giuliani denied serving officially as Christie's spokesperson, numerous media interview requests for Giuliani were coordinated through Christie's communications team.

Thomas Kean, former Republican governor of New Jersey, initially accepted Christie's claim of unawareness until damning emails emerged. However, Kean noted lingering uncertainties regarding the governor's office environment and whether involvement extended beyond a small group of aides. In an April 2014 interview with The New Yorker, Kean expressed doubts about supporting Christie's presidential ambitions, suggesting that Christie may have cultivated a workplace culture that encouraged staff retaliation; he warned that dishonesty on Christie's part would end his political future.

Christie was not implicated in the May 2015 indictment; U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman refrained from commenting on others' responsibilities. According to The New York Times, the indictment adversely impacted Christie's 2016 presidential campaign prospects. Iowa GOP donor Gary Kirke observed that Christie's decision to postpone announcing his campaign until after being cleared reduced his competitiveness in the Iowa caucuses. GOP strategists noted that the scandal itself was not a significant factor during the Iowa or New Hampshire primary contests.

National polls

In January 2014, public sentiment was divided regarding the scandal's enduring effect on Christie's 2016 presidential campaign. By early February, national polling reflected a marked drop in his political standing and chances for success in the 2016 election.

New Jersey polls

A Rasmussen poll conducted on January 10, 2014, revealed that 56% of New Jersey residents felt Christie should resign if it was proven he sanctioned retaliation against an official who declined to support him; only 29% opposed this view. The majority believed Christie had at least partial awareness that the September toll lane closures were retaliatory in nature.

The Rutgers-Eagleton poll from January 24, 2014, showed that the scandal damaged Christie's reputation within New Jersey. His favorability rating fell by 22 points to 46%, with unfavorable opinions rising to 43%. Approval of his job performance decreased by 15 points to 53%. Most respondents (56%) doubted that his senior aides acted without his knowledge, while just 20% fully accepted Christie's explanation.

According to a Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press survey dated February 24, 2014, Christie's job approval stood at 50%, down by 9% since January and 20% compared to the previous year. Sixty-one percent believed he had not been entirely truthful about the toll closures, and half thought he was personally involved in the decision-making process. A similar poll conducted in April indicated approval ratings remained stable but still lagged by 14 points relative to December figures; meanwhile, 62% felt Bridgegate and related controversies harmed his chances for the 2016 presidency, an increase from 51% in January.

Media coverage

The controversy surrounding the lane closures garnered extensive attention from both regional New York media outlets and national news organizations. The initial political perspective emerged in the September 13, 2013, edition of The Record, specifically within John Cichowski’s Road Warrior column. It proposed that Fort Lee’s mayor, Mark Sokolich, was singled out due to his refusal to endorse Governor Christie’s re-election bid, his opposition to a significant housing project near the bridge, or his lack of support for the Port Authority’s toll increase.

On September 17, 2013, Ted Mann of The Wall Street Journal disclosed that the Port Authority’s unilateral closure of toll lanes without public announcement had caused internal discord. Patrick Foye, the Executive Director, mandated the lanes be reopened, citing concerns about public safety and the absence of prior communication.

In Mann’s October 1 report, an email from Foye was revealed in which he condemned the lane closures as an "abusive decision," promising an inquiry into possible legal breaches and procedural misconduct. This intensified suspicions that political allies of Christie orchestrated the closures as retaliation against Sokolich, a Democrat. Investigations by The Record, The Wall Street Journal, and additional outlets proceeded with information gathered from confidential sources and public documents.

The New York Times featured coverage on December 8, 2013. The scandal intensified on January 8, 2014, when Shawn Boburg of The Record exposed the involvement of Bridget Kelly, Christie’s deputy chief of staff, in orchestrating the closures. This revelation sparked widespread political repercussions nationwide. Correspondence including emails and text messages detailed "vindictive lane closures" designed to inflict severe traffic congestion on Fort Lee. Governor Christie acknowledged The Record’s crucial investigative work during his press conference on January 9.

Coverage by MSNBC reached a peak during Christie’s contrite press conference, resulting in their highest ratings since covering the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. In response, Christie criticized MSNBC as a "partisan network" unfairly targeting him. Political analyst Steve Kornacki highlighted that media scrutiny centered on Christie's appointees David Wildstein and Bill Baroni, both facing federal indictments related to the scandal.

The use of "Serbian" as a derogatory term within communications provoked condemnation from Serbian diaspora communities and government officials who demanded apologies and raised concerns about ethnic bias. Media outlets in Serbia and Croatia underscored these remarks alongside Sokolich’s ethnic background, with commentators commending measured responses from Balkan observers despite historical conflicts.

On July 2, 2014, Superior Court Judge P. J. Innes ruled that New Jersey must partially comply with open records requests submitted by North Jersey Media Group concerning state employees’ legal fee applications linked to investigations into the lane closures; however, employee identities were protected. The state was also ordered to cover legal costs. Appeals seeking broader disclosure remain ongoing.

See also

• List of people involved in the Fort Lee lane closure scandal
• Controversies and investigations in the Governorship of Chris Christie
• Crime in New Jersey
• List of scandals with "-gate" suffix
• Politics of New Jersey

External links

• Visual resources
  • Composite aerial visuals illustrating George Washington Bridge traffic patterns near upper-level toll booths (depicting scenarios with one versus three toll lanes open at affected Fort Lee access points)
  • NJ DOT jurisdiction map showing highways leading to the bridge (Fort Lee entrance marked at "Kelby St")
• News reporting on George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal:
  • NJ.com (featuring latest updates from The Star-Ledger and NJ Advance Media)
  • NJ Spotlight "Christie Page," covering broader topics beyond Bridgegate
  • NorthJersey.com (latest from The Record) plus a ten-minute documentary video and interactive The GWB Files
• Principal figures:
  • The New York Times including relationship mapping
  • NJ.com (NJ Advance Media)
  • NJ Spotlight featuring interactive graph
  • NorthJersey.com
  • WNYC-AM/FM & New Jersey Public Radio Archived September 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine one-year audio retrospective
• Chronologies:
  • Associated Press
  • David Wildstein's testimony via NJ Advance Media
  • Milowent comprehensive timeline with news articles and official records
  • NJ Spotlight, interactive as of May 2015
  • The Record graphical event chronology
  • Timelines maintained by The Star-Ledger / NJ Advance Media through 2016
  • USA Today
  • WNBC-TV4
  • WNYC-AM/FM & NJ Public Radio
• Official documentation
  • Transcript from Christie's January 9, 2014 press briefing
  • Mastro investigation report commissioned by New Jersey Governor's Office (released March-April 2014)
  • Interim Report presented to New Jersey Legislature authored by committee attorney Reid Schar, dated December 8, 2014
  • Subpoenaed documents released by New Jersey Legislature
  • Wildstein plea agreement signed January 21, 2015; published May 1, 2015
  • Indictment documents for Baroni and Kelly filed April-May 2015
  • Juror questionnaire for Baroni-Kelly trial including witness list (September 2016)
  • Brennan complaint against Christie (September 2016)