Former Christie Allies Get Jail Time For Bridgegate Scandal

NEWARK, NJ — Two former aides to Gov. Chris Christie were each sentenced to prison for their roles in the Bridgegate political payback action that severely damaged Christie's political career.

U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton sentenced Bill Baroni, Christie's top appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to 2 years in prison,

"I regret, more than anything, that I allowed myself to get caught up in this," Baroni said in court Wednesday morning, according to NJ.com.

Kelly was sentenced to 18 months.

Wigeton said that Kelly, a mother of four, was portrayed as victim, but wasn't, NJ.com reported.

Kelly maintained her innocence throughout the trial.

Kelly and Baroni were found guilty in November of all charges — conspiracy, wire fraud and civil rights violations — connected to the scandal, which involved shutting down several local access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee as retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, for not endorsing Christie for reelection in 2013. A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against them in May 2015.

Baroni and Kelly each faced a maximum sentence of 20 or more years in prison, but officials recommended sentences of about three years.

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Dozens of family members, colleagues and others wrote letters to Wigenton urging leniency for Baroni and Kelly, NJ.com reported.

Conor, Kelly's 17-year-old son, wrote to the judge that his mother was the "single-most reason" he is alive. He was born with a heart defect. Kelly has three other children.

"Not one part of me, or anyone else that knows or has ever met my mother, believes she is truly guilty and should ever see a day in prison," the report said, quoting the Conor Kelly's letter.

Former Gov. James McGreevey wrote on behalf of Baroni, saying, "Bill has the capacity to change lives for the better. His exceptional knowledge of government, its processes, and its working would provide meaningful assistance to the least of those among us," NJ.com reported.

Wingenton told Baroni that the scandal will stay with him for the rest of his life.

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

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 repeatedly denied being involved in the scheme. He previously told NBC that he believes the scandal impacted his changes of becoming President Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate in last year's election.

Sokolich said that Kelly, 44, and Baroni, 45, did what they did with "a callous disregard for public safety and the lives of many people."

The case made additional headlines when Bill Brennan filed an ethics complaint against Christie, saying the scandal and ensuing trial unjustly cost taxpayers millions dollars. Brennan claimed that Christie knew what his aides were doing regarding the lane closures.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the complaint March 2.

Additional reporting by Tom Davis

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