Christie’s Lawyer: Governor Not Involved In ‘Bridgegate’ Plot

[emperus]

Christie hires a law firm to represent the Governor's office and run an investigation into the Scandal. They come back and say Christie is is not involved. And the taxpayers pay them 1 million dollars.

What were they supposed to say?

You can't make this stuff up...

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/03/27/christies-lawyer-governor-not-involved-in-gwb-plot/

 

[MrPickins]

Either he was in on it, or he had no idea what his administration was actually up to.

In my mind at least, both are equally bad.

 

[Newell Steamer]

This is like when cigarette makers hired their own medical professionals to look into the hazards of smoking - nothing could possibly be skewed with the outcome from something like that,...

 

[emperus]

This is like when cigarette makers hired their own medical professionals to look into the hazards of smoking - nothing could possibly be skewed with the outcome from something like that,...

This is a like a FU to the taxpayers.

 

[nageov3t]

and if he hadn't done an internal review, wouldn't he just be accused of trying to cover stuff up?

 

[emperus]

and if he hadn't done an internal review, wouldn't he just be accused of trying to cover stuff up?

There were a lot of other options? 1.) He could have asked the DOJ to appoint an independent investigator.

You really don't think there is something wrong with someone hiring an attorney to run an investigation who doesn't interview the most important people and then paying them 1 million tax payers dollars?

edit: I meant the State Attorney General's Office.

 

[werepossum]

There were a lot of other options? 1.) He could have asked the DOJ to appoint an independent investigator.

You really don't think there is something wrong with someone hiring an attorney to run an investigation who doesn't interview the most important people and then paying them 1 million tax payers dollars?

'Cause if there's one thing we know, it's that the DoJ is above politics.

 

[fskimospy]

'Cause if there's one thing we know, it's that the DoJ is above politics.

Not to mention that the DOJ only appoints independent counsels for the federal executive.

I have to say that using taxpayer funds to have your own personal investigation into yourself that clears you only makes you look more guilty.

Of course the legislature is going to try and tar and feather him so I'm not saying that he needs to just let them do whatever they want and accept their investigation at face value, but I don't think this did him any favors.

 

[werepossum]

Not to mention that the DOJ only appoints independent counsels for the federal executive.

I have to say that using taxpayer funds to have your own personal investigation into yourself that clears you only makes you look more guilty.

Of course the legislature is going to try and tar and feather him so I'm not saying that he needs to just let them do whatever they want and accept their investigation at face value, but I don't think this did him any favors.

Agreed. If you hire someone to investigate you, the assumption is always that you hired someone so that they will exonerate you.

Note that the IRS, the DoJ and the BATFE are all investigating themselves . . .

 

[emperus]

Agreed. If you hire someone to investigate you, the assumption is always that you hired someone so that they will exonerate you.

Note that the IRS, the DoJ and the BATFE are all investigating themselves . . .

I did mean the state Attorney General's office. And you could find a way to appoint an independent investigator with subpoena power.

Of course politics plays a role in everything, but that shouldn't stop you from attempting to do something.

 

[fskimospy]

Agreed. If you hire someone to investigate you, the assumption is always that you hired someone so that they will exonerate you.

Note that the IRS, the DoJ and the BATFE are all investigating themselves . . .

While I agree that internal investigations are inherently problematic, they are not the only ones investigating conduct. For example, the FBI also investigated the IRS and Congress has being doing it too, although Congress' investigation has been pretty embarrassingly partisan much like I imagine the NJ legislature's investigation will be.

 

[emperus]

While I agree that internal investigations are inherently problematic, they are not the only ones investigating conduct. For example, the FBI also investigated the IRS and Congress has being doing it too, although Congress' investigation has been pretty embarrassingly partisan much like I imagine the NJ legislature's investigation will be.

I've been impressed with the committee. Esp. John Wisniewski. I'm assuming some politics are in play (they are obviously democrats), but it hasn't been embarrassing yet.

 

[fskimospy]

I've been impressed with the committee. Esp. John Wisniewski. I'm assuming some politics are in play (they are obviously democrats), but it hasn't been embarrassing yet.

I haven't followed the NJ legislature's investigation at all, so maybe they will surprise me!

 

[SaurusX]

Case closed.

 

[cubby1223]

Christie hires a law firm to represent the Governor's office and run an investigation into the Scandal. They come back and say Christie is is not involved. And the taxpayers pay them 1 million dollars.

What were they supposed to say?

You can't make this stuff up...

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/03/27/christies-lawyer-governor-not-involved-in-gwb-plot/

I am thankful the judicial systems in this country side with me that evidence is more important than individuals' gut feelings.

 

[KK]

The fat fuck just needs to have a heart attack and die.

 

[Fern]

There were a lot of other options? 1.) He could have asked the DOJ to appoint an independent investigator.

You really don't think there is something wrong with someone hiring an attorney to run an investigation who doesn't interview the most important people and then paying them 1 million tax payers dollars?

edit: I meant the State Attorney General's Office.

If you look at the report (pdf) linked in the article it indicates that the DoJ is investigating it.

The NJ legislature is also investigating with select committees. Select committees have more power, and jurisdiction, than regular congressional committees. In addition it is headed by a Dem so I imagine it will be pretty rigorous.

It looks like the "most important people" refused to comply. The law firm that was hired to do the investigation wouldn't have the power to subpoena so their refusal to comply is fully expected. No way their lawyers would allow them to participate.

But yes, such statements seem self serving and are entirely unconvincing. As such it was a waste of taxpayer money.

Fern

 

[UberNeuman]

Good. Now Christie can get back to more important things....




Like his third plate of pasta!

 

[kage69]

Guess we can't call this the The Sarah Palin method of defense with the DoJ involved, but still - wow. This just accelerates my declining opinion of Christie even more.

He needs to do NJ a favor and retire, and I'm sure many in the GOP would be relieved with that as well. He did, after all, shake the Presidents hand.

 

[kage69]

The fat fuck just needs to have a heart attack and die.

Well, at least you're not bitter.


Wishing death on a man with a family. Stay classy KK.

 

[werepossum]

I did mean the state Attorney General's office. And you could find a way to appoint an independent investigator with subpoena power.

Of course politics plays a role in everything, but that shouldn't stop you from attempting to do something.

I'm not sure this would really rise to the level of an independent prosecutor, but that's the only way to get an even halfway honest investigation.

Personally I'm not greatly concerned about this in the great scheme of things, but I can only see two possibilities here. Either Christie knew about it, or Christie maintained an administration where his underlings felt comfortable doing it. I'm not sure the latter is much less damning. Either way, not a man to whom I'd feel comfortable ceding more power. Especially after Obama.

While I agree that internal investigations are inherently problematic, they are not the only ones investigating conduct. For example, the FBI also investigated the IRS and Congress has being doing it too, although Congress' investigation has been pretty embarrassingly partisan much like I imagine the NJ legislature's investigation will be.

Congress' investigation is going nowhere. The IRS has snubbed its nose at them at every turn. Essentially they are the Mafia with badges.

Well, at least you're not bitter.


Wishing death on a man with a family. Stay classy KK.

+1

I heard on the radio, I think NPR, that Christie had lost a hundred pounds with lap band surgery. Can anyone confirm this? I don't see much television but snaps I've seen of him aren't looking thinner that I can tell.

 

[emperus]

I'm not sure this would really rise to the level of an independent prosecutor, but that's the only way to get an even halfway honest investigation.

Personally I'm not greatly concerned about this in the great scheme of things, but I can only see two possibilities here. Either Christie knew about it, or Christie maintained an administration where his underlings felt comfortable doing it. I'm not sure the latter is much less damning. Either way, not a man to whom I'd feel comfortable ceding more power. Especially after Obama.


Congress' investigation is going nowhere. The IRS has snubbed its nose at them at every turn. Essentially they are the Mafia with badges.


+1

I heard on the radio, I think NPR, that Christie had lost a hundred pounds with lap band surgery. Can anyone confirm this? I don't see much television but snaps I've seen of him aren't looking thinner that I can tell.

I wouldn't have figured you for an NPR guy. He has lost some weight. Still looks like humpty dumpty though.. I know that was mean.

 

[Victorian Gray]

I heard on the radio, I think NPR, that Christie had lost a hundred pounds with lap band surgery. Can anyone confirm this? I don't see much television but snaps I've seen of him aren't looking thinner that I can tell.

Not 100 lbs maybe, he apparently didn't give a number.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/26/chris-christie-weight_n_5039511.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

 

[werepossum]

I wouldn't have figured you for an NPR guy. He has lost some weight. Still looks like humpty dumpty though.. I know that was mean.

There's a lot of crap on NPR and a definite liberal bias, but it's also an organization that has recognized its bias and (I think) honestly attempts to report the facts. Gotta respect that, and you don't have that in the mainstream media or Fox News. Also, it's not shrill and bitter like so much on both sides, so that's nice.

The best I've heard is ABC Radio News, but my local talk radio station went to Fox News Radio. Besides, I've gotten to the point that I can't usually take more than ten or fifteen minutes of talk radio and their news is more spread out than NPR's so it's hard to consume.

And besides, NPR goes so nicely with my Grateful Dead music . . .

 

[sportage]

Stinks to high heaven.
But I suppose thatz Jersey politics.
Especially with this governor.
Waiting for the kiss of death?
Just hope he wipes the pasta off his mug beforehand.
Yecky Yecky

Everyone demands immunity before spilling the beans.
Buf Im sure the fat guy has it all under control.
Ya think?