The Star-Ledger just broke this story, Bridge scandal: Fort Lee mayor won't cooperate with Chris Christie lawyers.
In a letter sent today to Randy Mastro, a former federal prosecutor leading the governor’s legal team, an attorney for Mayor Mark Sokolich declines to have his client sit for a private interview, or to voluntarily hand over documents related to the closures. Mastro had requested both in a letter sent more than a week ago.
“While the mayor has gone out of his way to be fair to all parties in this matter, he wants to make sure that he respects the legal proceedings that are ongoing,” the attorney, Tim Donohue, wrote in the reply. “In light of the parallel investigations being conducted at the same time regarding the same subject matter, I do not believe it would be appropriate for the mayor to be interviewed by you or to produce any documents.”
Mastro and his team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher had also filed an open records request with Fort Lee’s clerk. The request, which targets Sokolich and his staff, seeks documents — including emails and other correspondence — related to the lane closures, as well as documents provided to newspaper reporters. Donohue said today that Mastro should receive those documents soon.
Last week when reports came out of Mastro's very aggressive letters to other parties, I asked why any of these recipients would agree to meet with Christie's lawyers.
“The Governor’s Office takes the allegations regarding the George Washington Bridge toll/lane realignments from September 9-13, 2013 very seriously,” ... “For that reason, we have assembled a team here that includes five former federal prosecutors and are conducting a thorough review of the facts pertinent to these allegations.”
Many speculated that Mastro was trying to intimidate witnesses, or other who might be considering coming forward, not to.
The worm turns. Drip, drip, drip.
9:00 PM PT: I can't believe I didn't end with "That's a nice bridge ya got there, Mayor Sokolich, what a shame if something was to happen to it ... again!"
My concentration must be slipping given the lateness of the hour out here in Boston.