A traffic scandal that threatens the rise of Republican star and potential 2016 presidential candidate Chris Christie has deepened with the release of hundreds of internal documents related to the incident.
Christie, the larger-than-life New Jersey governor, has repeatedly apologized and fired a top aide after documents this week revealed that officials in his administration may have intentionally caused traffic jams at the foot of one of the world's busiest bridges in an act of political revenge.
Federal prosecutors are investigating. Christie previously had said his staff had nothing to do with the lane closings in September at the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey and New York City, and he still says he had no personal knowledge of them.
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The lane closures caused hourslong delays at one of the major gateways to New York City. Documents show that Christie's aides appeared to close the lanes to punish the Democratic mayor of the town of Fort Lee, which sits at one end of the bridge, for refusing to endorse the governor during his recent re-election campaign.
The documents released yesterday indicate short tempers as cars and trucks piled up.
"I had an unpleasant interaction with Fort Lee Police Chief and Asst Chief about congesting the Borough, and preventing the smooth flow of emergency response vehicles throughout the Borough," Robert Durando, the bridge's general manager, said in a Sept. 9 email.
"Their characterization was that the 'test' was a monumental failure. "Fort Lee is not happy."
The governor has cast himself as a straight-talking politician who transcends partisan politics, but the scandal has him on the defensive.
"I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team," the famously blunt Christie said Thursday during a nearly two-hour press conference.
Both Democrats and Republicans said the governor's presidential prospects could be severely undermined if evidence emerges that contradicts his denials.
Christie traveled to Fort Lee on Thursday to personally apologize to the mayor and community residents.
But the issue is far from over.
US Attorney Paul Fishman is reviewing the case, and the general inspector of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the bridge, also is investigating.
The scandal comes on the eve of a second term for Christie that was designed to be a springboard to a national campaign. In less than two weeks, he plans to celebrate his inauguration at Ellis Island, a historic gateway for millions of immigrants and a symbolic location designed to showcase his broad appeal.
