Chris Christie’s scandals have crossed the Hudson.
The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported that federal prosecutors in Manhattan have subpoenaed records from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. They’re looking for information related to the business interests of David Samson, the agency’s chairman and an appointee of Christie’s. Samson’s ties to the governor’s various scandals have already come under scrutiny in the press.
The news means that federal officials in two states are now looking at matters related to the Port Authority. In New Jersey, prosecutors are looking at the George Washington Bridge lane closures — the Port Authority oversees the bridge — and the allegations made by the Democratic mayor of Hoboken, N.J., who earlier this year accused the Christie administration of threatening to withhold Hurricane Sandy aid if she did not approve a development deal. The group behind the development was represented by Wolff & Samson — the politically connected law firm founded by Samson.
The Journal reported that the scope of the New York officials’ investigation was not yet clear, but that prosecutors were interested in conflicts between Samson’s private business interests and his role at the bi-state Port Authority.
Last month, Samson offered a public apology for the George Washington Bridge lane closures, which were orchestrated by former Port Authority officials and which caused a multi-day traffic jam in the town of Fort Lee, N.J.
“On behalf of the board of commissioners, we are deeply sorry for inconvenience caused to our travelers,” Samson said at a meeting of the agency’s board.
Samson’s attorney, Michael Chertoff, told the Journal in a written statement that they would not comment.
