Alleged Target Of Bridgegate Could Take The Stand

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2014 file photo, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich addresses a news conference at Fort Lee, N.J., City Hall. Many people have known little about Fort Lee until a political scandal centering on New J... FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2014 file photo, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich addresses a news conference at Fort Lee, N.J., City Hall. Many people have known little about Fort Lee until a political scandal centering on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie enveloped the borough. Now for residents of the New York City bedroom community defined by both a feisty pride and frustration over the mixed blessings of proximity to the George Washington Bridge, the scandal is the reminder they did not need of how the bridge dictates the rhythm of everyday life. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) MORE LESS

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The alleged target of a political retribution plot by two former allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie could take the stand at their trial.

Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich is expected to be one of the first witnesses called by the government in its case against Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni. They allegedly caused massive traffic jams in his city in September 2013 to punish the Democrat for not endorsing Christie.

Kelly and Baroni claim their actions weren’t criminal and the alleged scheme was orchestrated by another former Port Authority official, David Wildstein, who has pleaded guilty.

During opening statements on Monday, defense attorneys portrayed Wildstein as a political opportunist and bully who was Christie’s eyes and ears at the agency, where Baroni was deputy executive director.

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  1. Please harpoon the Outlaw Jersey Whale with your testimony.

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