A former ally of Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pleaded guilty Friday morning in U.S. federal court to charges related to the shutdown of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September 2013, which was allegedly structured to punish a local political leader.
David Wildstein, a former New York and New Jersey Port Authority official, is the first person convicted in the federal investigation into the “Bridgegate” scandal, in which the bridge closures were allegedly retribution at the mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., who refused to endorse Christie’s re-election campaign.
Wildstein pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud on federally funded property and one civil rights violation. He will be released on $100,000 bond and sentenced Aug. 6 after cooperating with prosecutors.
The fates of Christie’s former deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and top adviser Bill Stepien — who were both fired by Christie after the scandal — are unclear for now.
Wildstein implicated both Kelly and former Port Authority Deputy Director Bill Baroni in his plea.
U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, Port Authority Inspector General Michael Nestor and an FBI official are scheduled to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. Friday to give an update.
Wildstein was a high school classmate of Christie. According to law enforcement officials, Christie will not be charged in relation to the scandal.
(h/t CNN)
