Democrats Hold Presser To Mark One-Year Anniversary Of 'Bridgegate'
FORT LEE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey and national Democratic Party leaders marked the anniversary of the "Bridgegate" scandal with an event in Fort Lee on Monday morning.
There were massive traffic jams in Fort Lee for four mornings starting on Sept. 9, 2013, due to lane closures leading up to the George Washington Bridge. The gridlock appear to have been carried out for political retribution and has become a major distraction for Christie.
Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and state Democratic leaders gathered to hammer Gov. Chris Christie on the bridge scandal and criticize the potential 2016 Republican presidential contender for his handling of the state's economy and his frequent out-of-state travel.
Democrats Hold Presser To Mark One-Year Anniversary Of 'Bridgegate'
"While we may be here today to commemorate one year since the 'Bridgegate' saga began to take effect, Chris Christie's gridlock reaches much farther than right here in Fort Lee," Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said. "What 'Bridgegate' did was raise the curtain on his culture of intimidation, bullying and the incompetence that pervades the Christie administration."
Federal authorities and New Jersey lawmakers are still investigating the lane closures.
A law firm hired by Christie's office found no wrongdoing by the governor or other key officials in his administration.
Christie fired his aide, Bridget Kelly, over the scandal. His Port Authority appointee, David Wildstein, resigned. Kelly, then a deputy chief of staff to Christie, sent a message to Wildstein: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee."
Christie has denied any involvement in the lane closures.
"He should be insisting that his aides cooperate (in the investigations)," Wasserman Schultz said. "Instead he's just throwing up his hands and claiming to know nothing about it. His indifference is demonstrative of his utter lack of leadership."
New Jersey Democratic Party Chairman John Currie said he, too, is still looking for answers from those in the know.
"When they go and take the Fifth (Amendment) and not talk, maybe that's why we don't have the information," he said.
Republican Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, who is on the legislative investigative committee, said she feels it's not a wild goose chase. She said panel members still want to hear from the U.S. attorney.
"The Democrats are interested solely in trying to damage Gov. Christie because they're terrified of him as a presidential candidate," she said in a phone interview with Haskell.
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