Guilty Plea, Two Indictments In Christie Administration 'Bridgegate' Scandal

David Wildstein, the Chris Christie-appointed Port Authority official behind the infamous Fort Lee “Bridgegate” traffic jam that served as a political payback scheme, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of conspiracy.

Former Christie aide Bridget Ann Kelly and Bill Baroni, another Christie appointee at the Port Authority, were also indicted in connection with the “Bridgegate” scandal, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Wildstein has admitted the scheme to close lanes at the George Washington Bridge, and create endless traffic jams over four successive mornings in the fall of 2013, was retribution to the Fort Lee mayor for not endorsing the governor’s re-election campaign, according the U.S. Attorneys Office.

>>Related: U.S. Attorney: No Additional Charges Forthcoming In Christie Administration ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal, Based On Current Evidence

As a result of those admissions, Baroni and Kelly were each charged with nine counts in a scheme to misuse Port Authority resources to facilitate and conceal the cause of traffic problems in Fort Lee in September of 2013.

Wildstein lawyer Alan Zegas, who has said “evidence exists” that Christie knew of the traffic jams at the time, told reporters after the guilty plea in federal court in Newark that Wildstein “deeply regrets what occurred. He can’t undo what’s been done.”

Zegas also said he stands behind his earlier statement suggesting that Christie may have known about the jam while it was happening.

>>Related: Five Things You Need to Know About ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal

Wildstein appeared in federal court in Newark Friday and admitted his role in the scheme after he was asked: “In or about August 2013, did you agree with others, including Mr. Baroni and Ms. Kelly, to punish Mayor Sokolich for not endorsing Governor Christie by deliberately causing significant traffic problems in Fort Lee through a reduction in the number of local access lanes?”

A plea by the former top appointee at the Port Authority would lead to the first conviction for Fishman in the Bridgegate scandal. Christie has been dogged by the scandal, causing his approval ratings to plummet while he tests the presidential campaign waters in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Christie has denied knowledge of the scheme, but with Wildstein pleading guilty and possibly cooperating with prosecutors, he could give them an inside view of what happened.

Former Port Authority Chairman David Samson also could be named in an indictment, and recently decided to step down from his longtime post as co-founder of the politically connected law firm Wolff & Samson, according to the report. Samson’s firm also said it was changing its name.

Ultimately, as many as eight people could be indicted in the notorious Fort Lee traffic jam, according to any number of news sources, from NBC News to The New York Times to Esquire Magazine.

Private talks with sources close to the investigation confirm those reports, and some have suggested that Christie is also awaiting the results of the investigation before making a decision on a presidential run.

Few expect Christie to face charges himself. But the indictments of Kelly and Baroni would be the first involving former staffers thought to be behind the scandal, according to nytimes.com.

Kelly, who was fired by Christie in January, 2014, was a deputy chief of staff at the time of the incident, and signified the closest link between the governor and the scandal. Her email and text message communication with Port Authority officials may have proven she had a major hand in the unnecessary road closures.

Wildstein will be released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond in return for his cooperation with the government.

Wildstein, who is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 6, shook hands with the prosecutors as he entered the courtroom.

Related stories:

• First Christie Associate To Plead Guilty In ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal; Could Cooperate With Investigators
• Prosecution Reportedly Closing In On Christie Administration As Governor’s Popularity Fades
• Christie Administration Corruption Probe Has ‘New Details,’ Could Produce More Charges
• Most Say Christie Should Leave Office If Committed Crime
• Bribery Possibly Involved As ‘Bridgegate’ Indictments Could Come Soon
• WATCH: As Possible Indictments Loom, Christie Sets Presidential Announcement Timeline

Anthony Bellano and Jason Koestenblatt contributed to this report.