Former Chris Christie Allies Plead Not Guilty In 'Bridgegate' Scandal

[Pictured above - left to right: Bill Baroni and Bridget Ann Kelly]

Governor Chris Christie’s former Chief of Staff Bridget Ann Kelly, and one of his appointments to the Port Authority, Bill Baroni, have both pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging them with nine counts of assorted conspiracy and fraud offenses in the “Bridgegate” scandal that occurred in September, 2013.

Both Baroni and Kelly received $150,000 bail and were ordered to stay within the continental United States, politickernj.com reported. A trial date is set for July 7, the report said.

The pleas come after the nine-count indictment was lodged on Friday, May 1 after another former Port Authority official, David Wildstein, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy for his role in creating a traffic jam at the Fort Lee entrance to the Goerge Washington Bridge for a week in September, 2013.

It was Wildstein’s admission to prosecutors that named Baroni and Kelly in the political payback scheme, which allegedly came about after Fort Lee Mayor and Democrat Mark Sokolich chose not to endorse Christie’s campaign for a second term as New Jersey governor.

While those three have been tabbed as the main players in the scandal, no one else previously mentioned during a 16-month investigation has been implicated as playing a role in the traffic jam that was presented to locals as a study being conducted by the Port Authority.

During a press conference on Friday, United States Attorney Paul Fishman said there is not currently enough evidence to bring charges against anyone else but Baroni and Kelly at this time.

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.

Later that day, Kelly called Wildstein “a liar” during a press conference.

On Monday, Kelly’s lawyer Michael Critchley was emphatic with reporters after the court hearing, saying he would subpoena anyone he felt necessary, including the governor.

After the hearing Baroni proclaimed his innocence outside the courthouse, and he’ll testify on his own behalf during a trial. 

Related stories:

• Guilty Plea, Two Indictments In Christie Administration ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal
• No New Charges Coming In Christie Administration ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal, Based On Current Evidence
• Christie Administration Corruption Probe Has ‘New Details,’ Could Produce More Charges
• 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

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