U.S. Attorney To Address BridgeGate Investigation In News Conference Today

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman talks about the arrest of four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian, who have been charged with running a sophisticated hacking organization that over seven years penetrated computer networks ... U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman talks about the arrest of four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian, who have been charged with running a sophisticated hacking organization that over seven years penetrated computer networks of more than a dozen major American and international corporations, during a news conference, Thursday, July 25, 2013, in Newark, N.J. The group, according to Fishman, is connected with stealing and selling at least 160 million credit and debit card numbers, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. Princeton-based Heartland Payment Systems Inc., which processes credit and debit cards for small to mid-sized businesses, was identified as taking the biggest hit in a scheme starting in 2007 — the theft of more than 130 million card numbers at a loss of about $200 million. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) MORE LESS

By Catherine Thompson

May 1, 2015 8:57 a.m.

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The U.S. attorney for New Jersey plans to hold a news conference Friday at 1 p.m. ET to address the investigation into lane closures on the George Washington Bridge.

The U.S. attorney’s office announced there would be a “proceeding of interest in a criminal matter” related to the lane closures at 11 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Newark, followed by the news conference addressing the investigation. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Inspector General Michael Nestor and an FBI official are expected to be on hand for the news conference.

An appointee of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) who directed the lane closures, former Port Authority executive David Wildstein, is expected to plead guilty to unspecified charges, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources. Bloomberg first reported Wednesday that Wildstein was expected to plead guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment to The New York Times on Wildstein’s expected plea or other details beyond the news conference. But the newspaper pointed out that Fishman may be announcing other indictments in the case at that time.

This post has been updated.

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Catherine Thompson (@kt_thomps) Catherine Thompson is a senior editor for Talking Points Memo in New York City. She came to the site in 2013 and reported on national affairs. Previously, she worked as a research assistant to investigative reporter Wayne Barrett. She can be reached at catherine@talkingpointsmemo.com.

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