NJ State Trooper Used Christie’s Name To Try To Wiggle Out Of Shoplifting Arrest

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie leaves City Hall Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Fort Lee, N.J. Christie traveled to Fort Lee to apologize in person to Mayor Mark Sokolich. Moving quickly to contain a widening political sc... New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie leaves City Hall Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Fort Lee, N.J. Christie traveled to Fort Lee to apologize in person to Mayor Mark Sokolich. Moving quickly to contain a widening political scandal, Christie fired one of his top aides Thursday and apologized repeatedly for the "abject stupidity" of his staff, insisting he had no idea anyone around him had engineered traffic jams to get even with a Democratic mayor. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) MORE LESS
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A New Jersey State Police trooper who was part of Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) protective detail was arrested last month in Pennsylvania, and allegedly tried to use his connection to Christie to help himself out, according to The Bergen Record.

William Carvounis, 35, was arrested Jan. 8 for allegedly stealing $267 worth of items from a sporting goods store in Tilden, Pa. William McEllroy, the chief of police in Tilden, told the Record on Monday that Carvounis used his connection to Christie to try to get a break on the charges.

“We don’t do that,” McEllroy told the Record.

Carvounis’ arrest was first reported by the New Jersey branch of Watchdog.org, which also reported that Carvounis was suspended from duty by the state police. According to the website, Carvounis is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 10.

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