Christie mentor set for sentencing in United bribery case

FILE – In this July 14, 2016, file photo, David Samson, left, former chairman of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and one of his attorneys, Justin Walder, right, leave federal court after Samson pleaded guilty to bribery during a hearing in Newark, N.J. Samson, who resigned in March 2014, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, March 6, 2017, for using his post to get United Airlines to run money-losing direct flights between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., saving him an hour's driving time to his weekend home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) FILE – In this July 14, 2016, file photo, David Samson, left, former chairman of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and one of his attorneys, Justin Walder, right, leave federal court after Samson pleaded guilty to bribery during a hearing in Newark, N.J. Samson, who resigned in March 2014, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, March 6, 2017, for using his post to get United Airlines to run money-losing direct flights between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., saving him an hour's driving time to his weekend home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

By Associated Press March 6, 2017 3 min read

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – A former New Jersey attorney general and mentor to Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court.

David Samson pleaded guilty last summer to bribery for using his position as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2012 to pressure United Airlines to revive a money-losing flight from Newark to South Carolina. Samson wanted the flight so he could have easier access to a weekend home.

The 77-year-old Samson faces up to two years in prison, though his plea agreement allows for the possibility of probation. He will be in court on Monday.

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