Christie Meets With Trump VP-Vetting Attorney: Report

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie privately met with the attorney leading the effort to vet potential running mates for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, according to a report.

The Washington Post, citing "two people familiar with the process," reported Christie met with attorney A.B. Culvahouse Jr. on Saturday at an undisclosed location. The meeting included discussions of Christie's record as governor, including the Bridgegate bridge-closing scandal that has rocked Christie’s administration, and other issues that could become flashpoints should Christie be tapped by the real estate mogul.

The two people informed of the meeting requested anonymity in order to speak about Culvahouse’s recent activities, which have been closely guarded, the Post report said.

A Trump spokesman declined to comment, citing the campaign’s policy of not commenting on the vice-presidential search. Christie’s spokesman referred The Washington Post’s inquiry to the Trump campaign. Culvahouse was unreachable.

Christie was in Virginia Beach Monday to campaign with Trump; a scheduled appearance of the two in Miami last Friday was cancelled in the wake of the sniper attack that killed five law enforcement officers in Dallas. Christie canceled a planned town hall forum in Bergen County on his proposed Fairness Formula for school funding that had been scheduled for Monday evening to appear with Trump.

Trump is expected to announce his VP pick this week, CNN reports. The Post report quoted a third person, a Trump ally, as saying Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Christie are now the favorites to be selected in the coming days, with Pence the more likely selection.

The Bridgegate scandal has lingered in the background for months. A trial date in the case was announced Monday; U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton confirmed the trial will begin Sept. 12.

The case about the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in September 2013 involves two high-ranking officials — Bridget Anne Kelly, the governor’s former deputy chief of staff, and William Baroni, a former executive with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. They are accused of orchestrating the lane closures as political retribution against Fort Lee Democratic Mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing Christie for reelection.

Christie has repeatedly denied knowing about the lane closures, which caused severe backups on the first day of school in Fort Lee and major delays on the bridge.

Attorney Michael Critchley, Kelly’s lawyer, argued that cutting off the lane and causing three days worth of major traffic delays did not amount to a federal crime, NJ.com reported.

Baroni and Kelly have been indicted on nine charges in the case, including fraud and conspiracy.

Former Port Authority executive David Wildstein has pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy. He admitted the scheme was political retribution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Christie also has drawn fire in New Jersey over his support of a proposed 23-cent increase in the gasoline tax to fund the Transportation Trust Fund. The state Assembly passed the bill approving the increase, but the state Senate balked at the measure just before the Fourth of July.

In response, Christie issued an executive order temporarily shutting down $3.5 billion worth of projects throughout the state, from road projects to rail to marine projects. The work was expected to stop by 11:59 p.m. on Friday for at least seven days, the governor's office said.

Aside from Christie and Pence, Trump reportedly also is considering former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Even if Christie doesn't get selected as Trump's vice presidential pick, he is likely to get a top position in Trump's cabinet should he become president.

N.J. Governor Chris Christie and Donald Trump, Patch file photo