Bribery Possibly Involved As 'Bridgegate' Indictments Could Come Soon

The federal investigation into controversial lane closings at the George Washington Bridge in 2013 could lead to the announcement of indictments by next week, according to reports.

Investigators have interviewed the Fort Lee Council, among others, and subpoenas have indicated that the inquiry has gone beyond the lane closings to include possible conflicts of interest and bribery, according to The New York Times.

As the investigation continues, Gov. Chris Christie has pushed past the dates he set for a decision whether to run for president in 2016, according to the report.

Prosecutors are likely to bring charges based on a fraud statute, under which they would argue that Christie’s associates used the bridge, or the Port Authority that runs it, for a purpose other than its intended one, according to the report.

The news comes three months after new subpoenas were issued to Christie’s 2013 re-election campaign regarding the scandal, and just one year after Democratic lawmakers released subpoenaed documents that led to an investigation into what is now referred to as “Bridgegate.”

Emails showed one of Christie’s staff members allegedly conspired to purposely close traffic lanes in Fort Lee in September 2013, causing major delays and safety issues in the town closest to the George Washington Bridge.

The scandal snowballed following the November 2013 election.

Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed documents related to meetings that were canceled between Christie and Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop after it was alleged those cancellations came after he declined to endorse the governor, according to nj.com.

The subpoenas, sent by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, are a possible sign that a probe into Christie’s former allies has broadened beyond the controversy surrounding George Washington Bridge lane closures.

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