Here are two quick and light articles for our hard-core Christie addicts. I know it's tough folks. This is like scrapping the bottom of the barely just to barely keep us going. I'm still looking, maybe something will break.
Christopher Baxter of The Star-Ledger reports Veteran NJ State Police trooper alleges retaliation for refusal to back Christie's 2009 campaign
TRENTON — A veteran state trooper claims in a lawsuit that his exemplary career was derailed by two superiors because he refused to sign nominating petitions supporting Chris Christie’s first campaign for governor.
In the lawsuit, filed May 15 in state Superior Court in Mercer County, Detective Sgt. 1st Class John Pizzuro says he was approached by a colleague, Detective Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Hampton, in 2009 while working for the division’s Official Corruption Unit.
Hampton, while on official time, told Pizzuro that he was working for the campaign and had been asked to obtain petition signatures to get Christie on the ballot, and then presented a list that included the names of about 10 troopers, according to the lawsuit.
Pizzuro claims he refused to sign and Hampton then called him a derogatory name and then walked away. Additional pressures were made, which he also declined.
Hampton was promoted over him to lieutenant becoming his supervisor.
Then Pizzuro says he has been passed over for promotion many times so is now suing.
These allegations to not directly involve Christie or his office.
Jeb Bush and Chris Christie Hold Hillary Under 50% in New Zogby Analytics Poll Matchups
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton still leads two major possible 2016 Republicans opponents by double digits but is held under 50% for the first times in Zogby Analytics polling. The new nationwide poll of 902 likely voters, conducted online May 21-22, shows Mrs. Clinton leading former Florida Governor Jeb Bush 49% to 32%, with 14% saying they prefer to vote for “someone else”, and 5% not sure. In another matchup, she leads New Jersey Governor Chris Christie by 14 points, 47% to 33%, with 14% selecting “someone else”, and 6% undecided.
[...] On the flip side, both Messrs. Bush and Christie are well known and the fact that they are polling in the mid-thirties is not a good sign for the GOP at all. As well, the fact that double digit percentages are selecting another candidate opens up a lot of questions about turnout and the weaknesses of both parties.
Governor Christie’s problems are similar. He does better among men and independents than Mr. Bush in the horse race, but he receives only 52% support from conservatives to Mrs. Clinton’s 21% — and 22% of conservatives selecting someone else.
The last article I did on the big clash between Cyrus Vance and Paul Fishman had a fourth section with a whole bunch of information that was new to me about the numerous subpoenas that have been issued against David Samson. That doc is a pdf so I'd have to retype some paragraphs in. I could probably find time if something else doesn't break soon.
Feel free to use this as an open thread as well.
1:02 PM PT:
This is a replication of the very first part of an article I did on May 23 on a blockbuster of an article on Main Justice. If you haven't read this original article it is worth you while. I never got to an analysis of the last section on the David Samson subpoenas which contained some new information for me about a second lawyer Samson has hired to manage information flows . I can't cut and past any paragraphs from this because it is a PDF.
Paul Fishman and Cyrus Vance clash over Christie Port Aurthorty Funds Diversion
Lisa Brennan of Main Justice writes a blockbuster of an article entitled Fishman, Vance clash over Christie Port Authority Funds Diversion Probe. This incredible article is in a pdf so I will retype a few blockquotes from this very long article full of many new details that reveal fascinating tension an the most inside information I've heard yet about what is going one between the two office.
One bit of good news is sources say the two prosecutors are racing to see who can get to indictments first. Vance is concerned that since Fishman's office is filled with so many past associates of Chris Christie's that they may not really investigate possible charges aggressively enough, especially against David Samson who is seeking protection before he will cooperate. Vance seems to be targeting Samson.
New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. clashed last month before going separate ways to investigate possible misuse of $1.9 billion in Port Authority of New York and New Jersey funds by Governor Christie people familiar with the matter said.
Vance had had an inside source providing information on how Christie had taking the bi-state money set aside for a new commuter tunnel connecting New Jersey to Manhattan under the Hudson River to fund repairs to the aging New Jersey Pulaski Skyway Bridge.
In early April, Fishman reached out to Vance at the request of defense lawyers for Sampson, who is trying to push back against broad subpoena requests from the Manhattan DA, according to a knowledgeable source.
Brennan tells us that in a phone conversation Fishman told Vance that he was also investigating the Pulaski Skyway funding, but would not share his information with Vance, so Vance said would not share his information with Fishman, nor identify his source.
Lisa Brennan asserts one of her sources close to the situation says "it's going to be a race to see who finishes first with an indictment."