EXCLUSIVE: Chris Christie Was Interrogated By Feds Over Bridge Scandal

[deminks]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-chris-christie-interrogated-feds-bridge-scandal/story?id=28117826

Gov. Chris Christie, a potential presidential contender, was interrogated recently by federal investigators probing the 2013 lane-closure scandal that has threatened his political future, officials confirmed to ABC News.

Christie met with federal prosecutors and FBI agents last month during a secret session at the New Jersey governor’s mansion in Princeton. He agreed to sit down with investigators voluntarily after they offered him a chance to provide his side of the story. Interviewing Christie was one of the final steps in the investigation, which appears to be wrapping up, according to those briefed on it.

Anyone being questioned by federal agents is required to tell to the truth or potentially face criminal charges. The governor was accompanied by his personal attorney, Christopher Wray, a former chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

(snip)

Federal authorities offered Christie the opportunity to meet with them months ago, officials familiar with the case explained. The governor was slow to respond originally the feds, making authorities fear he might be ignoring the overtures. Prosecutors quietly considered whether to ratchet up the pressure by issuing a subpoena for the governor to appear before a federal grand jury, but then Christie’s camp made arrangements for the governor to meet with them after Election Day and at one of the most secluded places in New Jersey, the ornate executive mansion – known as Drumthwacket. Little of the 11-acre property is visible from outside the gates and the estate is secured by the NJ State Police. By contrast, the federal grand jury convened to investigate the GWB scandal meets weekly at a busy courthouse in downtown Newark.

Christie’s session with the feds was scheduled to last as long as the feds wanted. It went on for far more than two hours.

[Ykcutnek]

1. Friday news dump... INDICTMENT? nt

[randys1]

2. Christie will walk as Ensign walked when he broke the law...

John Ensign and Tom Coburn, what a couple of pricks.

Ensign violated the law in setting up the husband of the Woman he was violating as a lobbyist who he then allowed to lobby him, Coburn kept the whole thing hush hush while trying to get rid of the pesky wronged person, and in the end the employee was convicted and zilch happened to that kochsucking asshole Ensign and nothing to Coburn

Last night on Rachel they had the guy who was convicted...

[napkinz]

3. go directly to jail ... preferably a crate

[Laxman]

4. It's Very Interesting That This "Exclusive"...

is attributed to Josh Margolin-the former reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger who co-wrote The Jersey Sting that chronicled Christie's massive corruption sting that propelled him into political prominence. (excuse the alliteration) It was a fairly good factual account of the prosecution but also lacked the criticism the affair deserved. It came across as a bit of a cheer leading piece for Christie. Ruthless Ambition by Lou Manzo wrote a much better account.

I wonder who fed him the story. He definitely has connections at the U.S.Attorney's office. More importantly, why was he fed the story.

[mercuryblues]

7. that could be

why it says "has threatened" instead of is threatening.

[progressoid]

5. Kind of late in the game to do this isn't it?

Gov. Crisco has all of his tracks covered by now.

[Laxman]

6. The More I Think About This...

the worse it sounds. Margolin got this story from either an Asst. U.S. Attorney (and Fishman''s people don't leak) who was a holdover from the Christie era or someone in the Christie administration. Either way he was fed this story from someone with an agenda. And those sources would likely have a pro-Christie agenda. Otherwise, what's the point in getting this information out there? I just don't have a good feeling about this.