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Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 03:50 AM Jan 2014

Player in NJ Bridge Scandal Will Talk for Immunity

Source: Associated Press

Player in NJ Bridge Scandal Will Talk for Immunity
TRENTON, N.J. January 17, 2014 (AP)
By ANGELA DELLI SANTI and DAVID PORTER
Associated Press

The former appointee of Gov. Chris Christie who directed lane closures that backed up traffic for hours in one New Jersey town is reiterating that he is ready to share more information if he can be granted immunity from prosecution.

Meanwhile, 17 other people and three organizations are being issued subpoenas as lawmakers try to learn exactly how the September lane closures on an approach to the George Washington Bridge from the community of Fort Lee happened and why.

David Wildstein, whom Christie appointed to a position in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has already supplied a legislative committee with the most damning documents in the case so far, including an email from a Christie aide saying it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," a sign that the lane-closing plot was hatched by Christie's aides as a political vendetta.

Wildstein's lawyer Alan Zegas told The Associated Press on Friday that there has not been any offer of immunity from the U.S. Attorney's Office, which is reviewing the matter. "If he has immunity from the relevant entities, he'll talk," Zegas said.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/player-nj-bridge-scandal-talk-immunity-21567802

33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Player in NJ Bridge Scandal Will Talk for Immunity (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2014 OP
Oh, for Christ's sake ... this guy ain't Edward Snowden! 1000words Jan 2014 #1
Why? :/ tofuandbeer Jan 2014 #2
He wants special treatment for ratting out his friends, that's why. delrem Jan 2014 #3
What a guy! QuestForSense Jan 2014 #6
Yeah, he'll get some. Probably some mob-type "special treatment" n/t woodsprite Jan 2014 #14
Immunity deals are given all the time leftynyc Jan 2014 #19
Of course it isn't special. Blatant, yes. Special, no. delrem Jan 2014 #21
You said he was looking for special treatment leftynyc Jan 2014 #22
oh dear!! you got me!! I cry crocodile tears! delrem Jan 2014 #23
Just admit you're wrong leftynyc Jan 2014 #25
Well, I did! What's with you anyway????? This isn't a world-ending issue, y'know. delrem Jan 2014 #28
"Let's make a deal", was a game show, not a criminal justice model. Kelvin Mace Jan 2014 #26
If it brings Unknown Beatle Jan 2014 #5
But there is no guarantee on what he has davidpdx Jan 2014 #8
I think Christie is done. If he runs, he will not survive the Republican primary. zonkers Jan 2014 #9
What kinds of people would do such a thing?? ailsagirl Jan 2014 #32
I wonder how many of them are shitting bricks right now Skittles Jan 2014 #4
so it begins... identify Jan 2014 #7
"Someone, somewhere is going to talk." Um, please tell that to Squatt Wanker. Scuba Jan 2014 #13
Do not ask for whom the weasel squeals, Governor Berlum Jan 2014 #10
Touche! Cha Jan 2014 #11
This guy? Trade his secrets for a get out of jail free card? Cha Jan 2014 #12
Ya have to be careful of someone who would pull this kind of stunt in the first place tomm2thumbs Jan 2014 #15
Will Wildstein become the new..."John Dean"??? tune into tomorrow Stuart G Jan 2014 #16
His attorney said this the day he took the 5th before the Assembly Justice Jan 2014 #17
The line forms on the right herding cats Jan 2014 #18
I love the prosecutorial strategy, here ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #20
I've been wondering if the investigators can pre-qualify a person they intend to immunize. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2014 #24
Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #27
Definite Wrong Doing Baalzamon Jan 2014 #29
Okay n/t 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #30
kick OKNancy Jan 2014 #31
give him limited immunity warrior1 Jan 2014 #33
 

1000words

(7,051 posts)
1. Oh, for Christ's sake ... this guy ain't Edward Snowden!
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 04:01 AM
Jan 2014

Subpoena the whole lot of them and they'll turn on each other.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
19. Immunity deals are given all the time
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:40 AM
Jan 2014

It's the little fish turning on the big fish. Nothing special about it at all.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
22. You said he was looking for special treatment
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 09:00 AM
Jan 2014

and I pointed out there was nothing special about it. You're contradicting yourself.

delrem

(9,688 posts)
28. Well, I did! What's with you anyway????? This isn't a world-ending issue, y'know.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 10:58 AM
Jan 2014

That you should make it into some kind of personal contest of "I'm right and you're wrong - neener neener!" proportions.

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
26. "Let's make a deal", was a game show, not a criminal justice model.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 10:24 AM
Jan 2014

First guy to flip gets the best deal, giving him another opportunity to "settle scores". He can implicate people he doesn't like and then they are screwed. Not a big fan of plea bargains either.

PROSECUTE ALL OF THEM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. If they want to cooperate and genuinely help the prosecution, then ask the judge to keep that in mind when handing down the sentence.

Unknown Beatle

(2,672 posts)
5. If it brings
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 04:33 AM
Jan 2014

Christie down, I'm all for it. Wildstein is someone we have never heard of before this scandal. Let him walk if Christie falls. Remember, we're after the big guy here. If Christie falls, just like dominoes, the rest will follow.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
8. But there is no guarantee on what he has
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 06:04 AM
Jan 2014

Sure it would be worth it if he brought down Christie. On the other hand if all he was going to do is lock up the other people we know that have been involved then why let him off the hook?

ailsagirl

(22,837 posts)
32. What kinds of people would do such a thing??
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 01:00 PM
Jan 2014

I'm still trying to take it in-- that they would pull this punitive and crooked stunt on helpless/unknowing people is downright chilling. And to laugh about it?? I imagine they're laughing out of the other side of their mouths today.

And this man has the audacity to want to be president?

Mind-blowing.

identify

(71 posts)
7. so it begins...
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 05:29 AM
Jan 2014

Christie must have nads of steel to be walking around like none of this is happening. Someone, somewhere is going to talk. That's a guarantee.

Too many people involved but we will see who is loyal after threats of felony charges and extended jail stays are being waved in their faces. Christie is done and he knows it, he will play the part until the end (which might be soon).

Cha

(295,899 posts)
12. This guy? Trade his secrets for a get out of jail free card?
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 07:13 AM
Jan 2014


tod

Would it not depend on how good the info is? It's interesting that he's trolling for offers. Guess he's not
the kind of guy who wants to spend anytime at all behind bars.. even though he deserves it.

tomm2thumbs

(13,297 posts)
15. Ya have to be careful of someone who would pull this kind of stunt in the first place
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 07:47 AM
Jan 2014

They'll ask for immunity, and when they get it, say "I was the one entirely responsible"...

They think they have it all figured out. Christie and the gang.

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
16. Will Wildstein become the new..."John Dean"??? tune into tomorrow
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:14 AM
Jan 2014

to hear the next chapter of........As The World Turns....

Who is the next one to say it ain't so to the Bully???
Will we get another press conference??
Which of the Republican stooges will be on "Meet the Press"
... this weekend???
Will the Bully Explode, and let us see the true mean asshole that he is ???

Tune in tomorrow for the next chapter.............thank you .......

Justice

(7,182 posts)
17. His attorney said this the day he took the 5th before the Assembly
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:15 AM
Jan 2014

Wildstein seemed to execute the plan with great zeal - cannot believe he is that innocent. He just knows how these things work - first to squeal gets the deal.

herding cats

(19,549 posts)
18. The line forms on the right
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:22 AM
Jan 2014

No pushing or tripping of each other, please.

I suspected he would be the first one to offer to squeal like a little piggy, but with Bridget Kelly still being an unknown I wasn't sure. Today every person involved in this who had any contact with him is wetting their pants and trying to decided if they have juicer stuff to offer up for immunity than he does.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
20. I love the prosecutorial strategy, here ...
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:46 AM
Jan 2014

Get one witness pleading the 5th (tells you that unlawful conduct was engaged in and at least that one person KNEW it was unlawful) ... Issue a bunch of subpoenas, see what they do/say ... Those willing to talk narrows you onto the likely wrong doers with the most information ... then, start offering immunity.

For those saying no immunity ... how would you build a case, without the benefit of testimony?

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,272 posts)
24. I've been wondering if the investigators can pre-qualify a person they intend to immunize.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 10:10 AM
Jan 2014

You see it on cop shows. "My client will give you this, this and this in exchange for immunity".

Is there a way to ensure the immunized person doesn't pull a fast one?

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
27. Yes ...
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 10:46 AM
Jan 2014

There are several types of immunity:

"Transactional" Immunity ... the one most people see one the TV machine, is broad and protects the witness from being prosecuted on the underlying charge.

Then, there is "use" immunity which is narrower: statements by the witness may not be used against the person, but the prosecution does not agree that it will never prosecute. The person may be prosecuted upon independent and untainted evidence.

But all grants of immunity can be revoked, if the prosecutor can demonstrate that the witness is perjuring his/herself.

 

Baalzamon

(21 posts)
29. Definite Wrong Doing
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 11:16 AM
Jan 2014

I don't see how anyone can disagree that this whole thing stinks, but I do disagree with your premise that Pleading the 5th means guilt. Since when did exercising a Constitutional Amendment mean one is guilty? That is like invoking your 4th Amendment rights, and then having it assumed you must have something to hide.

warrior1

(12,325 posts)
33. give him limited immunity
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 01:33 PM
Jan 2014

no matter what he'll be considered a pariah in the GOP establishment.

His career will be over.

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