Prosecutor Dismisses Complaint Against Governor Christie

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has dismissed the official misconduct complaint against Governor Chris Christie.

In a letter to Superior Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol Thursday, First Assistant Prosecutor John L. Higgins said that his office does not believe that, "an official misconduct charge can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

The prosecutor's office indicated Jan. 27 that it would not pursue the complaint Bill Brennan filed against Christie. Brennan filed the complaint Sept. 28, claiming the governor is responsible for the Bridgegate trial that ensued as a result of a George Washington Bridge lane-closure scandal involving Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich.

The matter came out of testimony in the September trial that suggested Christie knew all about Bridgegate while the political payback scheme was happening — and he knew why it was being done.

Christie knew that his associates were involved in a plan to shut down lanes leading to the bridge and that the closings were intended to punish the Fort Lee mayor for declining to support his 2013 reelection bid, according to testimony from the trial.

In September, Judge Roy F. McGeady had found probable cause to investigate a complaint of official misconduct against Christie. Brennan, a former Teaneck firefighter and Wayne resident who is running for governor as a Democrat, wanted a special prosecutor appointed to the case, but his request was denied.

"Neither the Feb. 2 hearing before McGeady nor his Feb. 16 ruling warrants a change" in the prosecutor's position that it would pursue the case against Christie, Higgins said in the letter.

"Our review of the transcript of the municipal court judge's February 2017 probable cause finding provides no additional insights or bases which would warrant the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office taking a different tack,"

Mizdol reversed the probable cause ruling in January. Brennan filed another motion with Mizdol for the appointment of a special prosecutor, which is scheduled to be heard in court March 17.

"After Judge McGeady's masterful marshaling of the evidence against the governor," Brennan said, "this dismissal is exactly why a special prosecutor is necessary."

Christie's press secretary Brian Murray released a statement following the issuance of Higgins' letter.

Murray said the complaint is "factually and legally baseless" and that Brennan has a "long history of abusing the legal system."

"Today, in dismissing this absurd complaint, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has reiterated what is the result of now four separate investigations — the governor had absolutely no role in the incident at the George Washington Bridge," Murray said. "All those who wish it were otherwise have again been proven wrong.”

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Governor Chris Christie — Patch file photo