© 2016 North Jersey Media Group
January 9, 2014, 10:50 AM
Last updated: Wednesday, August 10, 2016, 9:52 AM
The Record
Governor Christie
Aug. 10, 2016 -- A former aide to Governor Christie said the governor lied about his knowledge of his administration’s involvement in the George Washington Bridge lane closures, according to a new court filing.
Federal prosecutors did not reveal the reason for Samson’s appearance. But the FBI and prosecutors have spent the past two years investigating whether the former chairman used his position as head of the multi-billion dollar agency for his personal benefit and to benefit clients of his powerful law firm. | Full story
Inside look at The Record's GWB coverage [video]
A ten-minute documentary look at The Record's breaking of the George Washington Bridge scandal story, by Record photographer and videographer Thomas E. Franklin.
About The Record's coverage of Christie and the GWB scandal
For half a year, the news breaks and front-page stories from The Record's team of reporters, columnists and editorial writers have kept coming, online and in print.
The Record in the media
The New York Times’ David Carr: Local Papers Shine Light in Society’s Dark Corners
The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple: The Record nails Christie story
The Record: Shawn Boburg wins a Polk Award for GWB reporting
David Samson, a longtime confidant of Governor Christie and once New Jersey’s top law enforcement officer, pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges in a scheme to use his position as chairman of the Port Authority to pressure United Airlines to launch a money-losing route from Newark to South Carolina for his personal benefit.
The law firm representing Republican Gov. Chris Christie's office in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case on Thursday attacked defense attorneys' requests to view materials, including his cellphone.
Christie said earlier this year that he lost track of the phone after turning it over two years ago in response to a request from federal prosecutors. “I haven’t had it for two plus years but it’s in the hands of the government as far as I know,” said Christie, a former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
Governor Christie said emails released in the George Washington Bridge criminal case do not show that his former top aide and campaign manager used a state government office as a political operation to further the governor’s own political ambitions in the months leading up to his landslide reelection in 2013.
Invoking President Richard Nixon’s failed bid to stop the release of White House recordings related to the Watergate scandal, defense attorneys demanded that lawyers acting on behalf of the governor turn over his cellphone and phone records as well as those of top officials that were used at the time of the 2013 lane closures.
- June 6, 2016: New plea to keep GWB co-conspirator list private
- April 28, 2016: GWB defense insists indictment was improper, demands Christie’s phone
- April 14, 2016: Lawyers in GWB scandal case argue creating a traffic jam is not a crime
- Feb. 27, 2016: Flurry of reactions behind GWB scandal; emails capture Port Authority officials trying to control damage
- Feb. 5, 2016: Judge allows defendants in GWB lane-closing case to demand state law firm’s files
- Dec. 16, 2015: Judge chastises Christie's lawyers for failure to keep notes in GWB probe
- Sept. 22, 2015: Christie law firm in GWB probe under fire for not keeping original notes of interviews with public officials
- Jan. 25, 2015: Names sought on GWB scandal-related legal bills
- Nov. 11, 2015: Hard drive a clue to GWB defense; lawyer focuses on files David Wildstein gave feds
- Nov. 11, 2015: Defense attorneys file court papers in GWB lane-closing case
- Sept. 11, 2015: Trial of two former Christie aides delayed until March
- Aug. 24, 2015: Christie law firm in GWB probe fighting subpoena for computer data
- July 10, 2015: Ex-Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly rebuffed in bid to recoup legal bills
- July 8, 2015: Compromise settles battle over sharing evidence in case
- June 11, 2015: Baroni lawyers say prosecutors' request aimed at protecting Christie ‘inner circle'
- June 12, 2015: Kelly lawyer fights prosecutors' request to keep GWB evidence confidential
- May 28, 2015: Christie compares coverage of GWB and Clinton email scandals; says media bias apparent
- May 21, 2015: Analysis: Christie polishes his record for New Hampshire voters
- May 20, 2015: Federal prosecutors want GWB lane closures documents kept secret
- May 10, 2015: Kelly: Still unknown: Why was Ft. Lee mayor targeted?
- May 9, 2015: Names of possible co-conspirators in GWB case could come out at trial
- May 8, 2015: GWB scandal follows Christie to New Hampshire
- May 8, 2015: Cost of Christie's lawyers in GWB scandal now at $7.8M
- May 8, 2015: Stile: Christie may see a bit of himself in Tom Brady’s troubles
- May 5, 2015: Christie says he's glad to be in clear, would testify in GWB case if called
- May 5, 2015: Stile: Christie facing a steeper climb
- May 5, 2015: The Record: Politics of the GWB
- May 4, 2015: Ex-Christie allies Kelly and Baroni plead not guilty in GWB scandal case [video]
- May 4, 2015: Kelly: Governor Christie's former allies look to change the narrative
- May 4, 2015: Baroni resigns from Princeton law firm to focus on his defense in GWB case
- May 4, 2015: Nine in 10 New Jerseyans believe more people were involved in GWB lane closures, poll finds
- May 4, 2015: Doblin: Wildstein pleads, Kelly talks and Christie still tweets
- May 3, 2015: Sharp contrasts in GWB probes: Mastro report's narrative more favorable to Christie
- May 3, 2015: Stile: A stark change by two of governor's close allies
- May 3, 2015: Jackson: GOP rivals refrain from piling onto Christie after indictments
- May 2, 2015: Analysis: Feds' GWB case will hinge on whether David Wildstein’s story is believed
- May 2, 2015: Questions remain on who else was involved in GWB saga, status of ex-Port Authority chairman
- May 2, 2015: Plot times to disrupt schools, feds say
- May 2, 2015: Stile: A relief for Christie, but fog remains
- May 2, 2015: Probe of Hoboken mayor’s claims on Sandy aid ends without charges
- May 1, 2015: Indicted in GWB case, Bridget Anne Kelly proclaims innocence at news conference
- May 1, 2015: One guilty, two defiant: David Wildstein turns on his former allies in GWB scandal
- May 1, 2015: Feds: Christie allies used public resources for political vendetta; no one else to be charged in 'scheme'
- May 1, 2015: Christie maintains he had 'no knowledge or involvement'
- May 1, 2015: Lawmakers who led GWB scandal probe call criminal findings 'sickening'
- May 1, 2015: Kelly: Lane closures a 'punch in the gut' to Sokolich and Fort Lee
- May 1, 2015: Mayor of Fort Lee calls GWB lane closure scheme a 'venomous act'
- May 1, 2015: Fort Lee residents recall week of gridlock caused by GWB lane closures
- April 28, 2015: N.J. acting AG says he's prepared to follow up on any violations resulting from GWB probe
- April 12, 2015: Is a defining moment near for U.S. attorney Fishman?
- April 10, 2015: Fort Lee legal tab tops $225,000 from GWB lane closure investigations
- March 20, 2015: GWB lane closure probe turns to Fort Lee council
- Feb. 14, 2015: Bill from Christie administration lawyers nears $7.5M
- Jan. 9, 2015: Report: Christie met with federal prosecutors investigating GWB scandal
- Dec. 4, 2014: GWB probe finds no evidence of link to Christie; legislative panel blames his appointees
- Sept. 6, 2014: Analysis: One year later, GWB lane-closure scandal still unfolding
- Sept. 3, 2014: Vivid recollections show Port Authority cops' concern with GWB lane closures
- Aug. 27, 2014: N.J. lawmakers subpoena AT&T for Christie aide's phone records
- Aug. 1, 2014: Christie says he doesn't recall texts from top aide
- June 26, 2014 -- Legislative panel wants 13 more to testify in GWB investigation
- July 18, 2014 -- Christie aide says she thought GWB lane closure flap was merely infighting at Port Authority
- July 18, 2014 -- U.S. attorney discounts rumors of imminent indictments
- June 12: Port Authority acknowledges SEC probe into use of funds on N.J. road repairs
- June 9: GWB inquiry panel hears from top Christie aide O'Dowd
- May 31, 2014 -- Stile: Did Christie dig far enough on GWB lane closings?
- May 30, 2014 -- Christie staff gets hefty pay increases; biggest raises go to former campaign aides
- May 29, 2014 -- Port Authority executive director says he's proud of reopening GWB access lanes
- May 28, 2014 -- Port Authority to cover legal bills for 15 employees in GWB probe
- May 20, 2014 -- Mowers, former Christie aide, ‘disheartened and disappointed’ by GWB lane closures
- May 16: Port Authority executive director Foye testified before grand jury
- May 14, 2014 -- Attorney contends Christie misstated what ex-aide Bill Stepien knew about GWB lane closures
- May 14, 2014 -- Christie: Still eyeing 2016 bid, GWB scandal will be 'footnote' on his record
- May 7, 2014 -- GWB inquiry expands scope, subpoenas files from Christie political strategist
- May 6, 2014 -- Ex-Christie staffer Renna tells of ties between politics, government
- May 6, 2014: January tab for Christie law firm in GWB probe at nearly $1.1M
- May 1, 2014 -- Port Authority lawyer called before grand jury in federal GWB inquiry
- April 27, 2014 -- Analysis: Where does GWB legislative investigation go from here?
- April 25, 2014 -- Feds subpoena documents from legislative panel investigating GWB lane closure controversy
- April 24, 2014 -- Christie says he would have stopped GWB lane closures
- April 22, 2014 -- N.J. legislative panel issues more subpoenas for Drewniak, Renna
- April 15, 2014 -- Firm hired for probe is GOP donor; $10,000 disclosed as Christie backs unlimited contributions
- April 14, 2014 -- N.J. Attorney General hires law firms to represent state workers in GWB probe
- April 14, 2014 -- Bridge scandal papers show depth of Christie staffers' endorsement work
- April 13, 2014 -- Stile: GWB inquiry could propel key Democrats to run for governor in 2017
- April 9, 2014 -- Judge: Christie ex-aides Kelly, Stepien can withhold documents in GWB probe
- April 6, 2014 -- Kelly: Was Christie kept out of the loop?
- April 6, 2014 -- Analysis: Mastro report on GWB scandal deviates from federal standards
- April 2, 2014 -- Bridge report details blurred lines in Christie office: State workers by day, campaign volunteers at night
- March 31, 2014 -- GWB panel wants transcripts of interviews from Christie-commissioned report
- March 31, 2014 -- Kelly: Christie report renews question of when personal lives are fair game or out of bounds
- March 30, 2014 -- Kelly: $1 million report is PR masterpiece
- March 29, 2014 -- Christie's office rejects The Record's request for GWB documents
- March 28, 2014 -- Analysis: Some evidence seems to contradict Mastro report's findings on Christie
- March 28, 2014 -- Stile: Christie embraces an embattled Samson, stands by 'General' amid ethics questions
- March 28, 2014 -- Christie gets plenty of face time in TV interview
- March 28, 2014 -- GWB report a 'preemptive strike to isolate' Bridget Kelly, her lawyer says
- March 28, 2014 -- Christie: Port Authority Chairman David Samson resigns amidst GWB probe
- March 28, 2014 -- Kelly: $1 million report is PR masterpiece
- March 27, 2014 -- Christie unscathed by report; in-house probe faults Kelly, Wildstein
- March 24, 2014 -- Top Dem questions Christie lawyers' internal probe that clears governor
- March 24, 2014 -- Stile: Governor Christie gets the verdict he wanted
- March 23, 2014 -- Stile: Battle-scarred Christie seems to be sticking to his game plan
- March 20, 2014 -- Christie confronted on GWB scandal during town hall meeting
- March 18, 2014 -- N.J. prosecutors shift focus in GWB probe to Port Authority chairman
- March 17, 2014 -- Emails show Christie's ex-campaign manager thanked ex-Port official for testimony that was eventually discredited
- March 16, 2014 -- Brothers who grew up with Christie in Livingston find themselves linked in GWB scandal wake
- March 12, 2014 -- Judge in GWB hearing an experienced hand
- March 11, 2014 -- Stile: Bridget Anne Kelly looking for new image, new job
- March 11, 2014 -- GWB inquiry on trial as key players challenge subpoenas
- March 11, 2014 -- Poll finds more N.J. voters now disapprove of Christie’s job performance than approve
- March 7, 2014 -- GWB investigation undermined if Stepien ignores subpoenas, lawyer says
- March 6, 2014 -- Former Port Authority official Bill Baroni lands job with law firm
- March 3, 2014 -- Lawyer for former Christie adviser says client appears to be focus of federal investigation
- Feb. 27, 2014 -- Release of previously redacted GWB messages reveals new information
- Feb. 24, 2014 -- Christie approval ratings take another hit amid GWB controversy, poll finds
- Feb. 24, 2014 -- GWB scandal puts a light on the benefits of lobbying
- Feb. 23, 2014 -- Stile: Gauging Christie’s words on new terms
- Feb. 23, 2014 -- Kelly: Removing secrecy from Port Authority
- Feb. 22, 2014 -- Christie lawyer ends ties to Port Authority lawsuit
- Feb. 21, 2014 -- Stile: Frustration boils over at Christie's town-hall-style event [video]
- Feb. 20, 2014 -- Kelly: A terse apology for 'inconvenience' from Samson
- Feb. 20, 2014 -- Christie tries to put scandal aside, gets an earful on Sandy [video]
- Feb. 20, 2014 -- Christie popularity sinking in Ohio, poll finds
- Feb. 20, 2014 -- Kelly, Stepien fight court order after refusing to comply with subpoenas
- Feb. 19, 2014 -- Fort Lee releases thousands of pages of documents on GWB to Christie's attorney
- Feb. 19, 2014 -- Port Authority cop offered to reroute GWB traffic toward lane closures
- Feb. 18, 2014 -- Ex-Christie campaign manager, aide won't turn over documents to legislative panel
- Feb. 17, 2014 -- Fort Lee mayor won't comply with Christie lawyer's request for information
- Feb. 16, 2014 -- GWB probe to look at why Port Authority cops pointed stalled drivers toward Fort Lee mayor
- Feb. 16, 2014 -- Newly uncensored messages under review by NJ lawmakers
- Feb. 16, 2014 -- Port Authority chief wants investigation into PA cops' roles
- Feb. 15, 2014 -- Analysis: Should Fifth Amendment protection apply to documents in GWB case?
- Feb. 12, 2014 -- NJ lawmakers want details about who edited Port Authority exec's testimony
- Feb. 11, 2014 -- Christie administration attorney requests documents from Fort Lee related to GWB scandal
- Feb. 11, 2014 -- 'Victims' of GWB lane closures rally in Fort Lee [video]
- Feb. 10, 2014 -- Scope of GWB probe expands as new data sought on Christie’s office, helicopter flights [video]
- Feb. 9, 2014 -- Kelly: The long, winding road to reform at the Port Authority
- Feb. 8, 2014 -- Giuliani is Christie's strongest defender amid the GWB scandal
- Feb. 7, 2014 -- Activist group to rally, call for Christie to resign if he knew about lane closures
- Feb. 7, 2014 -- Fort Lee mayor now says Christie campaign courted him for endorsement
- Feb. 5, 2014 -- Analysis: Answers on GWB lane closures have subtle shades
- Feb. 5, 2014 -- Jackson: GOP fundraisers a test of Governor Christie's appeal amid GWB scandal
- Feb. 4, 2014 -- GWB probe: N.J. legislators get a mixed response on subpoenaed records
- Feb. 2, 2014 -- Christie staffer resigns amid GWB probe
- Jan. 31, 2014 -- Christie knew of bridge lane closures, ex-Port Authority official says
- Jan. 27, 2014 -- Sen. Weinberg: GWB probe will go 'wherever the documents lead us'
- Jan. 27, 2014 -- Stile: Foes take aim at humbled Governor Christie
- Jan. 26, 2014 -- Jackson: GWB scandal casts a shadow over N.J. Senate race
- Jan. 26, 2014 -- Kelly: Who will be Bridgegate’s John Dean?
- Jan. 25, 2014 -- Analysis: Christie's approach on Port Authority different from his handling of other agencies
- Jan. 24, 2014 -- Christie takes a quiet turn, limits appearances as GWB scandal simmers
- Jan. 24, 2014 -- GWB scandal: Port Authority won't pay legal bills for David Wildstein
- Jan. 22, 2014 -- Ex-Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly hires new lawyer
- Jan. 22, 2014 -- Christie's favorable rating drops after GWB controversy, poll finds
- Jan. 21, 2014 -- N.J. Assembly, Senate merge panels investigating GWB scandal
- Jan. 19, 2014 -- Stile: Christie's leadership style has roots in campus government
- Jan. 19, 2014 -- Port Authority chairman hires former Homeland Security chief as attorney in GWB probe
- Jan. 18, 2014 -- Christie's GWB counsel fights to shield toll files
- Jan. 18, 2014 -- Two sides of former Christie campaign guru Bill Stepien: Highly effective but personally abrasive
- Jan. 17, 2014 -- Names of 18 served with subpoenas
- Jan. 16, 2014 -- Questions about Christie's mouthpiece arise after he shows up in released GWB emails
- Jan. 16, 2014 -- Christie turns to ex-Giuliani aide with link to Port Authority
- Jan. 16, 2014 -- On anniversary of 9/11, other agencies were left in dark on Port Authority lane closures to GWB
- Jan. 16, 2014 -- GWB probe enlists legal muscle: Respected prosecutor in Blagojevich corruption case
- Jan. 13, 2014 -- Loyal Christie team's ties run deep
- Jan. 13, 2014 -- Stile: A new state for Christie — under siege
- Jan. 13, 2014 -- Fort Lee mayor acknowledges discussion about Christie endorsement
- Jan. 12, 2014 -- Justification for GWB study was flawed from the start
- Jan. 12, 2014 -- GWB probe targets Christie's office; renewal of subpoena power expected
- Jan. 12, 2014 -- Kelly: Unlikely pair emerge as Christie adversaries
- Jan. 12, 2014 -- Watergate parallels are clear in GWB scandal, but differences are vast
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- Christie aide Bridget Kelly was messaging about GWB lane closures on day she accompanied Christie to Seaside fire, documents show
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- Thousands of documents released in Christie GWB scandal
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- Vulgarity-laced emails show attempts to silence GWB story
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- A trail of apologies: Christie repentant, lays blame on key aide
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- Assembly panel charges contempt as David Wildstein refuses to testify on GWB scandal
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- Christie, Fort Lee mayor describe meeting as 'very productive'
- Jan. 10, 2014 -- The Record: We're betrayed; Christie appointees show contempt
- Jan. 9, 2014 -- Fort Lee mayor: More apologies from Christie may be needed
- Jan. 9, 2014 -- Mike Kelly: Image of former Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly doesn't fit résumé
- Jan. 9, 2014 -- Doblin: Christie’s new diet includes a lot of crow
- Jan. 8, 2014 -- Christie stuck in a jam over GWB lane closings
- Jan. 8, 2014 -- EMS responses delayed by GWB lane closures in what Fort Lee mayor calls 'absolute power corruption'
- Jan. 8, 2014 -- Christie administration may have violated public records law
- Jan. 5, 2014 -- The Record: Lost at the GWB
- Jan. 1, 2014 --Kelly: Assemblyman says order for GWB traffic tie-up came from outside Port Authority
- Dec. 28, 2013 -- Emails show Port Authority officials were warned of hardships caused by GWB lane closures
- Dec. 24, 2013 -- Port Authority official was told of traffic woes at George Washington Bridge
- Dec. 20, 2013 -- Fort Lee mayor disputes Christie's claim Port Authority not called over GWB traffic
- Dec. 19, 2013 -- Christie: GWB lane closings 'not that big a deal'
- Dec. 13, 2013 -- Christie's top Port Authority appointee Baroni resigns amid escalating probe into GWB lane closures
- Dec. 11, 2013 -- Port Authority chairman silent on September lane closures on George Washington Bridge
- Dec. 2, 2013 -- Christie says it's Democrats, not he, playing politics with GWB traffic flap
- Nov. 13, 2013 -- Port Authority breaks silence on George Washington Bridge delays
- Nov. 13, 2013 -- Port Authority won't address massive September traffic tie-ups on George Washington Bridge
- Oct. 2, 2013 -- Port Authority chief's email demands answers to closing of lanes leading to George Washington Bridge
- Sept. 14, 2013 -- Road Warrior: Port Authority reveals traffic 'study'
- Sept. 13, 2013 -- Road Warrior: Closed tollbooths a commuting disaster
- March 3, 2012 -- Ex-blogger is Governor Christie's eyes, ears inside the Port Authority
- Jan. 29, 2012 -- Dozens of Port Authority jobs go to Christie loyalists
Port Authority under fire
Sandy Funds controversy
- April 7, 2015 -- Former Port Authority chairman David Samson retiring from law firm
- February 20, 2015 -- Port Authority appointees reject panel's call to resign
- February 21, 2015 -- Air route at center of Port Authority probe was one of nation's loneliest
- February 11, 2015 -- Feds contact South Carolina airport officials in probe tied to ex-Port Authority Chairman David Samson
- April 27, 2014 -- Unsolicited proposal earns architect $500,000 from Port Authority
- April 22, 2014 -- Christie's ties to U.S. attorney's office delayed Hoboken mayor's claims of political retribution, letter says
- April 15, 2014 -- Lesniak calls for probe into Christie's use of Port Authority funds for road repairs
- April 13, 2014 -- Manhattan district attorney launches investigation into Port Authority spending
- April 2, 2014 -- Ex-Port Authority chairman’s law firm drops Bergen County as client, citing freeholders' demand that he resign
- March 31, 2014 -- Stile: Port Authority turf war joins Christie's narrative
- March 30, 2014 -- Christie's toll-money shuffle: Port Authority funds paying for repairs to state roads [video]
- March 19, 2014 -- Port Authority reconsidering $1-a-year lease for NJ Transit to use North Bergen parking lot
- March 16, 2014 -- Analysis: Port Authority works under its own set of rules
- March 10, 2014 -- Feds withdraw subpoena of Port Authority chairman in conflict of interest investigation
- March 5, 2014 -- Stile: Secrecy at heart of Port Authority toll-hike ploy
- March 2, 2014 -- Top Christie Port Authority appointees devised toll-hike plan to bolster image of NJ, NY governors
- March 3, 2014 -- Complaint: Port Authority chairman David Samson had ethics conflicts
- Feb. 23, 2014 -- Port Authority to reconsider NJ Transit lease deal for North Bergen parking lot
- Feb. 19, 2014 -- Port Authority lawyer to alter vote by board chairman on NJ Transit lease
- Feb. 19, 2014 -- New Port Authority conflict issue emerges: NJ Transit got $1 lease while a client of David Samson's law firm
- May 12, 2014 -- Christie slaps conditional veto on Sandy aid measure
- March 28, 2014 -- Internal Christie report: Hoboken mayor portrayed as confused
- March 21, 2014 -- Christie defends ‘Stronger Than the Storm’
- March 6, 2014 -- Christie 'acted appropriately' with Sandy debris removal, federal audit shows
- Jan. 19, 2014 -- Some question timing of Hoboken mayor's claim of Christie allies' strong-arm tactics
- Jan. 22, 2014 -- Political pressure in Zimmer allegation may not constitute a crime, legal experts say
- Jan. 20, 2014 -- Port Authority study favored politically connected builder for Hoboken redevelopment