BridgeGate Hits Next Level As Feds Launch Grand Jury Investigation

[Gothmog]

This is very interesting news http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bridge-scandal-grand-jury

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey have convened a grand jury to investigate the George Washington Bridge lane closures, ABC News reported on Friday.

Twenty-three grand jurors on Friday heard testimony from Michael Drewniak, press secretary to Gov. Chris Christie (R). Drewniak's attorney, Anthony Iacullo, told ABC News his client was not a target of the investigation.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics as to what would be discussed in the grand jury," Iacullo said. "I would say though that Mike is a witness and we have been assured that he continues to be a witness throughout these proceedings and Mike has continued to cooperate as requested by the government into this inquiry."

In January, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey confirmed that it was looking into the lane closures, which caused a multi-day traffic jam in Fort Lee, N.J. in September. But as ABC News reports, the existence of the grand jury confirms that the matter has evolved into a criminal investigation. Last week, a legal team representing Christie's office released a report claiming the governor had no role in the closures, and pinning blame for the plot on two former Christie allies: former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive David Wildstein and former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly.

ABC News on Friday also reported that a team of state prosecutors in New Jersey are monitoring the federal case, and "are prepared to continue the investigation on the state level if the feds turn it over to them."

[Spazito]

1. Very interesting news, good news as well...

thanks for the info.

[Larry the Cable Dude]

2. Good. Christie, Wildstein and Kelly are in deep doodoo

Really deep.

[Cha]

3. Good Luck Fed Grand Jury.. thanks Gothmog!

[hollysmom]

4. interfering with interstate commerce is a federal violation n/t

[Laxman]

6. The Bridge Is Just The Tip Of The Iceberg....

and the least of Christie's troubles. The U.S. attorney didn't have Joe Maraziti in to talk about the bridge this week. There is extortion and official misconduct, conspiracy, and honest services charges to be had here. This is just starting to get interesting!

[hollysmom]

7. less likely to get prosecuted on state problems, but Sandy money

was mismanaged and is federal money as well - another federal crime - some smart prosecutor. hehe. You don't mess with the feds unless you are sure the fix is in. i.e. GWB with insider trading when his father was pres. .

[Laxman]

5. No Doubt..

just a little Friday afternoon chat between Mike the Mouthpiece, the U.S. Attorney and 23 of his closest friends on the grand jury. This is indeed another level. Somebody is the target-for now-with the potential for others to be added in.The squeeze is on! Very good. Very very good!

[sheshe2]

8. K&R!

[Gothmog]

9. This will be fun to watch

Grand Jury proceedings are confidential but there will be leaks. Christie used to leak information on grand juries for political purposes. The current US Attorney is a real lawyer and so we will see fewer leaks than with Christie (who was really corrupt and political in his use of the power of the office of US Attorney).

[spanone]

10. why, i done thought the gubnor had been exonerated ???? go feds.

[Laxman]

11. Do You Think They're Laughing It Up....

down at the U.S. Attorney's Office reading through the Mastro report? I can just see them yelling from office to office..."Hey, check out page 127-that's a good one!"

[malaise]

12. K & R