Blagojevich Prosecutor To LEAD NJ SCANDAL INQUIRY

[Segami]

The federal prosecutor who helped convict former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich of corruption was tapped Wednesday to investigate the apparent political payback scandal involving New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration. Former assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar will advise a legislative committee investigating a plot that shut down lanes to the George Washington Bridge for four days in September, causing massive traffic jams in the town of Fort Lee. The plot apparently was hatched as a political vendetta, possibly against the town's Democratic mayor for not endorsing the Republican governor's re-election. "A potential misuse of taxpayer resources for political purposes is a serious matter that requires an astute legal eye with experience in this realm to help guide the process," said Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, a Democrat.



Christie, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, has apologized and denied any knowledge of the plot's planning or execution. The scandal is the most serious threat to his political future so far, and four members of his circle have been fired or resigned. More subpoenas will be issued Thursday, after the Assembly formally votes to continue its investigation in the new legislative session, according to state Assemblyman John Wisniewski, who is heading a special committee leading the probe. The New Jersey Senate and U.S. attorney's office are conducting parallel inquiries.



"This started out as an investigation into the Port Authority operations and finances and has led us in the governor's office," said Wisniewski, referring to the agency that runs the bridge. He said the investigation has shifted focus with the release of subpoenaed emails, mostly from private accounts.



The documents show a since-fired Christie deputy unleashed the traffic shutdown with an email message, "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." "Got it," replied the recipient, David Wildstein, a Christie associate who has since resigned from the Port Authority.



cont'

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Blagojevich-Prosecutor-to-Lead-NJ-Scandal-Inquiry-240337511.html

[Beringia]

1. Sounds good to me. He got Blagojevich

[riverwalker]

2. He's already on the job

probably reading the 900 pages of documents, face palming, muttering WTF? This is gonna get goooood.

His office said Schar was not immediately available for an interview today because he was in New Jersey. Governor Christie’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

- See more at: http://blog.northjersey.com/thepoliticalstate/9303/former-blagojevich-prosecutor-to-work-on-inquiry-into-bridge-scandal/#sthash.EoKqPgbh.dpuf