Chris Christie aides fight bridge scandal subpoenas

Some of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s top aides who have been connected with a scandal to shut down lanes on the George Washington Bridge are fighting subpoenas from New Jersey legislators investigating the incident.

Both Bridget Anne Kelly -- Christie’s former deputy chief of staff who wrote the message, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee – and Bill Stepien, the governor’s former campaign manager, were among the aides who were ordered to turn documents over to the special committee of lawmakers from the state Senate and New Jersey Assembly who are conducting an investigation.

Kelly’s attorney, Michael Critchley, initially wrote to the committee in early February to say his client was invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and not providing any documents. He reiterated that position Tuesday, telling CBS News, “We will not be responding to the subpoena because as we have previously stated we believe it is conditionally defective."

Stepien’s attorney Kevin Marino, wrote in a letter to the committee that he “can think of no lawful way the Committee can obtain documents responsive to its Subpoena from Mr. Stepien," and promised to take the matter to court if the subpoena is not withdrawn.

The lawmakers have struggled to gain the information throughout their investigation. On the same day that Christie apologized for the lane closures, David Wildstein, a top executive at the Port Authority who resigned in connection with the scandal, cited his Fifth Amendment rights when he declined to testify before the State Assembly’s transportation committee.

The scandal has enveloped Christie’s administration and put the governor on the defensive as he has denied any knowledge of his aides’ actions. On Tuesday, the governor’s office said that he had never spoken to a Port Authority police officer who has come under scrutiny in connection with the lane closures.

CBS News’ Jenna Sakwa contributed to this report.