NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – The Democratic mayor who prosecutors say was targeted by two former allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie for a political vendetta told jurors Tuesday how he was courted by Christie staffers for more than three years before ultimately declining to endorse Christie’s re-election.
Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich testified he told a Christie staffer about his endorsement decision in the late summer of 2013, weeks before traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge plunged the town into four days of gridlock.
Bill Baroni, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official, and Bridget Kelly, Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, are charged with civil rights violations, conspiracy and wire fraud. Prosecutors say they caused the traffic jams by reducing the number of access lanes to the bridge from three to one without notifying Fort Lee officials.
Sokolich recounted Tuesday how he called and texted Baroni, Christie’s highest appointee to the agency that operates the bridge, on the first two days of the traffic jams but received no response. In one voicemail played in court, he pleaded with Baroni: “I can’t get the kids to school. Please give me a call back. We’re in total gridlock.”
Prior to that week in September, Sokolich testified, his relationship with Baroni and members of Christie’s staff was more than cordial. He described receiving invitations to parties, New York Giants football games and other events, including a lunch at the governor’s mansion in Princeton, beginning soon after Christie took office in early 2010.