N.J.'S Christie Denies Prior Knowledge Of Bridge Lane Closings

The letter, reported by the New York Times, claimed the official had proof of the "inaccuracy" of some of Christie's statements. But Christie's office said the letter "confirms what the Governor has said all along - he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened."A written statement released by the governor, read: "Mr. Wildstein's lawyer confirms what the Governor has said all along - he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened", referring to David Wildstein, a former official at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

It went on to read, "And whatever Mr. Wildstein's motivations were for closing them to begin with. As the Governor said in a December 13th press conference, he only first learned lanes were closed when it was reported by the press and as he said in his January 9th press conference, had no indication that this was anything other than a traffic study until he read otherwise the morning of January 8th. The Governor denies Mr. Wildstein's lawyer's other assertions."

Wildstein, who resigned his post at the Port Authority late last year, said he had evidence that proves Christie had knowledge of the jams "during the period when the lanes were closed," according to a letter sent to the authority's lawyer and released to the New York Times.

The letter does not indicate that Christie orchestrated the closures in any way, does not specify exactly when he became aware of the jams, and offers no evidence to back up the claim.

The closures last September caused four days of severe traffic jams for commuters and residents of Fort Lee, New Jersey, whose mayor declined to endorse Christie's re-election campaign, and prompted official investigations into the role of the governor's office.

The governor has seen his national support ratings fall as a result of the so-called "Bridgegate" scandal.