'Bridgegate' Mastermind Avoids Prison, Sentenced To 3 Years' Probation
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The mastermind of the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal will not go to prison.
David Wildstein was sentenced to three years' probation by a federal judge in Newark on Wednesday.
The former political blogger pleaded guilty in 2015 to using his position at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to lead a scheme to close access lanes at the bridge to create traffic gridlock in the town of Fort Lee, whose Democratic mayor declined to endorse Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
Christie wasn't charged, but the scandal helped drag down his approval rating.
Wildstein's testimony last fall helped convict former Christie aide Bridget Kelly and former Port Authority executive Bill Baroni.
Wildstein faced 21 to 27 months in prison, but prosecutors asked the judge to allow him to avoid prison.
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