Bridgegate trial delayed until November
TRENTON - A federal judge has ordered the trial of two former allies of Gov. Christie charged in the George Washington Bridge lane-closure case to begin in November.
TRENTON - A federal judge has ordered the trial of two former allies of Gov. Christie charged in the George Washington Bridge lane-closure case to begin in November.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark on Monday pushed back the trial date from July 7 to Nov. 16, according to court documents.
After a 16-month investigation, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman on May 1 announced charges against Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, a former Christie appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
A nine-count grand jury indictment alleges that Kelly and Baroni conspired with another former Christie ally, former Port Authority official David Wildstein, to cause traffic jams at the bridge in September 2013 in an act of political retribution against a local mayor who didn't endorse Christie's reelection.
Kelly and Baroni have pleaded not guilty. Wildstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and is cooperating with the government.
The trial could come as Christie, a likely presidential candidate, competes for the GOP nomination.
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