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
1000words
(7,051 posts)Subpoena the whole lot of them and they'll turn on each other.
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)If you knowingly did something illegal, you get to pay just like the rest of us wouldjackass.
delrem
(9,688 posts)QuestForSense
(653 posts)woodsprite
(11,853 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)It's the little fish turning on the big fish. Nothing special about it at all.
delrem
(9,688 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)and I pointed out there was nothing special about it. You're contradicting yourself.
delrem
(9,688 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)Is that really so difficult?
delrem
(9,688 posts)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)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)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)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?
zonkers
(5,865 posts)ailsagirl
(22,837 posts)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.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)yes INDEED
identify
(71 posts)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).
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Berlum
(7,044 posts)It squeals for thee.
tomm2thumbs
(13,297 posts)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)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)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)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)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)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)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)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.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)OKNancy
(41,832 posts)warrior1
(12,325 posts)no matter what he'll be considered a pariah in the GOP establishment.
His career will be over.