NEW YORK TIMES: Officials loyal to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey went to elaborate lengths to make it appear that the September closing of lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge was part of a traffic study, even though their private communications suggest the move was purely political, according to documents released on Friday.
The documents also show a concerted effort to keep their true motivation hidden, including the insistence by one official of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in an email that communications about the matter should not be conducted by email or discussed publicly…
No testimony or documents have shown that the governor called for shutting down the lanes or was involved in any discussions to conceal the political motive behind the closings, but the documents made clear that the discussions about the cover-up included some top aides in his office and campaign… (more)
EDITOR: If it is found that Gov. Christie was aware of the closings or acquiesced to them once he knew the political motivation, he theoretically could be impeached by the New Jersey Assembly and tried before its Senate.
The following is the relevant excerpt from the New Jersey Constitution:
SECTION III
l. The Governor and all other State officers, while in office and for two years thereafter, shall be liable to impeachment for misdemeanor committed during their respective continuance in office.
2. The General Assembly shall have the sole power of impeachment by vote of a majority of all the members. All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate, and members, when sitting for that purpose, shall be on oath or affirmation “truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in question according to the evidence”. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate. When the Governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside and the President of the Senate shall not participate in the trial.
3. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and to disqualification to hold and enjoy any public office of honor, profit or trust in this State; but the person convicted shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial and punishment according to law.
