Bridgegate Verdict: 2 Ex-Chris Christie Aides Found Guilty in Criminal Trial

Two former aides to Gov. Chris Christie were found guilty Friday in a trial involving the Bridgegate political payback scheme that severely damaged Christie's political career.

The two aides, Bridget Anne Kelly, the governor’s former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, the top Christie executive appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were found guilty of all charges connected to the scandal.

David Wildstein, the Christie-appointed Port Authority official also behind Bridgegate, had already pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy.

Kelly and Baroni faced conspiracy, wire fraud and civil rights charges that they conspired with Wildstein to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee to punish its Democratic mayor, Mark Soko­lich, for not endorsing Christie for re-election in 2013.

They each face a maximum sentence of 20-plus years in jail, but judicial experts say perhaps 2-3 more years is more likely.

Long-time Christie confidant David Samson, who some believed had a role in the Bridgegate scheme but was never charged for it, pleaded guilty in July to demanding a bribe while he was chairman of the Port Authority.

Christie, who has repeatedly denied being involved in the scheme, recently told NBC that he believes the scandal impacted his chances of becoming Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate. Christie also made a failed attempt at running for president earlier this year.

Christie released a statement following the verdicts:

Soko­lich released a statement, saying there will be frustration and anger at what happened "and I take no pleasure in seeing someone else's demise, but I get over that very quickly when I think about the thousands of lives they put in harm's way."

"And they did it in such a callous disregard for public safety and the lives of many people," he said. "It is incomprehensible to me that this sort of thing could happen."

Several revelations regarding Christie came out in the trial. One involved Christie going on an expletive-filled tirade following criticism about his response to Superstorm Sandy's devastating impact on New Jersey in 2012, a witness in the Bridgegate trial testified this week.

RELATED:

• Chris Christie Knew All About Bridgegate While It Was Happening, Prosecutors Say
• Christie, Cuomo Conspired In Bridgegate Cover-Up, Ex-Christie Ally Testifies

Christie also has agreed to appear in court after getting a criminal summons for official misconduct allegations connected to the Bridgegate scandal, according to court documents recently filed.

Christie will appear in state Superior Court in Hackensack, Bergen County, N.J., at 1:30 p.m. in room 114 on Nov. 23. A New Jersey judge has given the go-ahead to investigate Christie for possible official misconduct, issuing a criminal summons for the governor.

Judge Roy F. McGeady has found probable cause to investigate a complaint of official misconduct against Christie related to the George Washington Bridge lane-closure scandal.

Read more: Chris Christie To Appear In Court For 'Bridgegate' Criminal Summons

We'll have more information on this as it comes in.

Patch file photo