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January 9, 2014

Christie Aide Ordered Traffic Closure for Political Retaliation 
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A political controversy surrounding New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has
grown into a scandal after it emerged a top aide deliberately ordered
traffic delays to exact political revenge. Newly released documents show
Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly personally ordered
the closure of lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge, which
connects New Jersey to New York City, to punish the mayor of Fort Lee
for declining to endorse Christie’s bid for re-election. In an email
to another Christie appointee and high school friend, David Wildstein,
Kelly wrote: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." The closures
caused massive traffic jams with just one lane operational over a
four-day period. The scandal could threaten Christie's expected
candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. In a
statement, Christie denied involvement, saying he was "outraged and
deeply saddened" by his deputy's actions.