In my prior two posts, I was searching for 'lone occurrences' of specific phrases found within the just released "Memos" for the interviews conducted by the law-firm of Gibson Dunn, in the production of the Christie-requested Internal Review Report. Those two post expounded upon the lone occurrence (ie. Only 1 'Search Hit') for these phrases "Hudson Lights" and "Chip Michaels" -- that were found exactly once -- within the 437 pages of these "Memos."
Today I widened my list of "search terms" to try to find within these "Memos" -- in hopes of maybe "getting to the bottom of what really happened," as Governor Christie once put it.
These are my new "search terms" and their "search results" -- ie. the number of times they occur within the Gibson Dunn 'official' documents:
"innocent" 0 occurrences.
"innocence" 0 occurrences.
"blameless" 0 occurrences.
"guilt" 0 occurrences.
"blame" does however, have 2 occurrences within the memos -- upon which I will now expound:
Search word "blame" 1st occurrence:
p250
[...] Through their testimony, McKenna learned a bit more about the Fort Lee traffic study in particular, including that it did not follow certain protocols. In addition, McKenna recalled someone testifying that Wildstein had approached that witness two years earlier about a traffic study, which reinforced to McKenna that the lane realignment was a study and not part of any political retaliation scheme against Mayor Sokolich. McKenna said that it did not make sense that the realignment somehow harmed Fort Lee and/or Mayor Sokolich because all the Mayor had to do in that situation was point to the Governor and the Port Authority and blame them for the traffic. In other words, as between the Mayor and the Governor, the only one who could be hurt by the lane realignment was the Governor.
[...]
Charlie McKenna is the Chief Counsel for the the Governor’s Office.
Search word "blame" 2nd occurrence:
p401
B. October 2013
On October 8, 2013, Schwarz sent Ridley a text that said, “Eek. Blame baroni.” Schwarz did not recall the context of this particular text, but believed that she sent that particular text message during one of the Christie-Buono campaign debates in which Barbara Buono, Governor Christie’s opponent, mentioned the lane realignment. Schwarz recalled that, upon hearing accusations that the lane realignment was politically motivated, Schwarz speculated at the time that, given Baroni’s relationship with Fort Lee Mayor Sokolich and his ability to engage in “political theatre,” Baroni may have been involved in the lane realignment. Schwarz explained that Ridley previously informed her that Baroni had a close relationship with Mayor Sokolich, including for example, that Baroni provided emergency crank radios for Fort Lee residents in exchange for Mayor Sokolich’s agreement not to publicly oppose a Port Authority toll increase. But Schwartz clarified that she had no personal knowledge of any such involvement by Baroni in the lane realignment or whether the lane realignment was politically motivated.
[...]
Rebecca Schwarz worked as an Aide to the Governor in the IGA Office (for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs).
OK, that 'covers' who's to "blame" -- as far as Gibson Dunn has documented. But what about who's "guilty"?
There was once again 1 lone occurrence for that penultimate word "guilty" which was found within these documents ... which I will expound upon next ...
Search word "guilty" 1st and only occurrence, within the Gibson Dunn memos:
p154
B. December 6, 2013 – Wildstein’s Resignation
[...] Following Wildstein’s resignation on December 6, 2013, Forrest texted or called Wildstein to say good luck, and told him she was happy he would finally get to go back to the family business as he wanted. Wildstein responded he hoped they could meet for a coffee during the upcoming holidays. Forrest said that they never ended up meeting for coffee, partly due to her busy work schedule during that particular time of year and increased hiring trends, and partly because Forrest became ill with the flu and bronchitis. At some point before January 8, 2014, Forrest recalled texting Wildstein to say that she felt guilty that they never connected for coffee, and she hoped Wildstein was doing well. Forrest has had no contact with Wildstein since that text.
June Forrest worked as Deputy Director of Appointments and Senior Counsel in the Governor's Office.
Extra Credit: Here are a few other 'random' search phrases I've tried -- with their occurrence rates -- that yesterday's post (the Christie Memo) subtly put on my new Mastro-Report radar screen:
"no recollection" 11 occurrences.
"does not recall" 14 occurrences.
"was not involved" 30 occurrences.
"did not know" 56 occurrences.
and my last 'search' but not least:
"accountability" 0 occurrences.
THAT, is what you call "getting to the bottom of it" -- in Chris Christie Land. Zero accountability.
[All was emphasis and links were add by the poster, and not found in the original documents.]