Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday there is a “fifty-fifty” chance New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) knew about an order to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September.
The assessment marked a big change for Giuliani, who has been a vocal defender of the governor in the wake of the bridge scandal and hosted a fundraiser for him last year before the scandal broke.
Emails that surfaced earlier this month showed one of the governor’s top aides, Bridget Ann Kelly, was involved in discussions about the closures, which led to days of gridlock in Fort Lee, N.J.
“It’s fifty-fifty, it leaves you with no possible way of knowing did she discuss it with him or didn’t she discuss it with him,” Giuliani said, in a radio interview with Geraldo Rivera that was reported by Capital New York.
Christie has repeatedly denied any knowledge of the closures and fired Kelly when her emails were revealed.
Some Democrats have alleged Christie’s allies ordered the closures to retaliate against a Fort Lee’s mayor, who declined to endorse the governor’s re-election bid.
Though he indicated he believes Christie may have known about the order, Giuliani also offered some kind words for the governor.
“I like Chris very much and he’s being unfairly treated, and he’s a good friend,” said Giuliani.
