BridgeGate May Not Have Derailed Christie’s Chief Of Staff After All

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, listens to a question in the Statehouse Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Trenton, N.J., after he announced that his Chief of Staff Richard Bagger, second left, is leaving to take a jo... New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, listens to a question in the Statehouse Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Trenton, N.J., after he announced that his Chief of Staff Richard Bagger, second left, is leaving to take a job in the private sector on Jan. 31. Deputy Counsel Kevin O'Dowd, second right, will take Bagger's place. Homeland Security Director Charles McKenna, right, will become Christie's chief counsel. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) MORE LESS

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s chief of staff, Kevin O’Dowd, is scheduled to testify Monday in front of the state lawmakers investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closures. After that, O’Dowd may finally be back on his way to becoming the state’s attorney general.

Christie announced late last year that he intended to nominate O’Dowd to be attorney general, but the nomination was put on hold in January, when the bridge scandal really blew up. But now State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D) has told The Newark Star-Ledger that he had discussions with Christie and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) about “moving things forward.”

“It’s certainly a possibility depending on what happens at the Bridgegate hearing,” Scutari told newspaper. “It’s a significant possibility.”

Earlier this week, the committee investigating the scandal announced it had subpoenaed O’Dowd to come testify. O’Dowd supervised Bridget Kelly, the former Christie administration official most closely linked to the plan to close Fort Lee, N.J.’s access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in September.

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  1. These hearings have become all the same. Christie loyalists appear with opening statements like, “I am here to help and explain the situation,” and then proceed to answer questions with, “I can’t recall” or “That’s not my job” or “I need to consult with my lawyer” or “I don’t know that process.” It’s as if they’ve all been coached by the same legal team on how to say they’re cooperative while actually being as obstructive as possible. Oh wait, that’s exactly what’s going on.

  2. It would be going too far, however, to expect that as AG he will show any interest in any issues involving the Governor himself.

  3. Give just one of these assholes immunity from prosecution - let’s get this party started!

  4. Chrispy Chreme has about as much probability of being POTUS as he does of making the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team.

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