Chris Christie apologises for bridge-gridlock scandal
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: "I am responsible for what happened"
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has fired an aide who allegedly orchestrated traffic mayhem to pursue a petty political vendetta.
Mr Christie, seen as a potential Republican White House candidate, apologised for the scandal, which he said "embarrassed and humiliated" him.
The gridlock was allegedly engineered to punish a Democratic mayor who did not endorse the governor's re-election.
Mr Christie denied any involvement, blaming "deceitful" staff.
"I'm embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team," he said on Thursday morning at the statehouse in the city Trenton, as he revealed he had fired his top aide, Bridget Anne Kelly.
'Abject stupidity'He said repeatedly that he had nothing to do with the lane closures.
"I had no knowledge or involvement in this issue, in its planning or execution," he said, "and I am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here."
He spoke as New Jersey's top state prosecutor opened an inquiry into the matter.
On 9 September, two of three traffic lanes to the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey to Manhattan, were shut for several days.
Emails and texts made public on Wednesday appear to link Ms Kelly to the move.
The move caused traffic chaos in the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee, whose Democratic mayor had declined to back Mr Christie in last autumn's gubernatorial election.
"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Ms Kelly wrote on 13 August to David Wildstein, a New Jersey political appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge.
"Got it," Mr Wildstein, who has since resigned, replied.
Mr Wildstein invoked his constitutional right not to incriminate himself, pleading the fifth amendment, as he testified under oath on Thursday before a state legislature committee that is investigating the scandal.
'Heartbroken'The governor and Port Authority officials initially said the decision to close the lanes was part of a traffic study.
"I am heartbroken that someone who I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the last five years betrayed my trust," Mr Christie said on Thursday of Ms Kelly.
He also said he had withdrawn support for his former campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to become New Jersey Republican party chairman because of the "callous indifference" he had shown in emails about the traffic jams.
Asked about a 91-year-old woman who reportedly died after ambulance services were caught up in the gridlock, Mr Christie said that was "awful", though he added it was unclear whether the delay had contributed to her death.
The governor also sidestepped suggestions that he had used political intimidation as he ran for an overwhelming re-election victory in November.
"I am not a bully," he said, before heading to Fort Lee to apologise in person.
On Wednesday evening, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said the alleged skulduggery was "appalling".
The traffic gridlock had put people in danger by holding up emergency vehicles, he added.
The George Washington Bridge, one of the world's busiest spans, connects New Jersey to Manhattan "It's the example of the pettiest and most venomous side of politics," he told the Bergen Record newspaper.
Mr Christie, who postponed a morning event after the emails were released on Wednesday, said he would apologise to the mayor.
He has enjoyed immense popularity in his home state, particularly after his response to Superstorm Sandy. Now commentators are wondering if the bridge scandal could tarnish his White House prospects.
The scandal has blown up as Mr Christie is poised to launch a nationwide travel schedule in his other role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
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