Bridgegate defense cites ruling for new trial request

Lawyers for two former top officials of Gov. Chris Christie's who were convicted for their part in the 2013 lane closure scandal at the George Washington Bridge are citing a recent ruling in a Massachusetts case and a U.S. Supreme Court decision, both involving bribery allegations, as reasons a judge should overturn their clients’ convictions or grant them a new trial.

Earlier this week, Michael Critchley, attorney for Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, filed a letter with U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton asking the judge to consider a federal appellate ruling in December that overturned convictions against officials with the Massachusetts Office of the Commissioner of Probation.

Officials in the state probation office were convicted at trial on charges they “hired candidates favored by legislators in exchange for favorable budget treatment,” according to the letter.

But on appeal, judges ruled that “although the actions of the defendants may well be judged distasteful … the government overstepped its bounds in using federal criminal statutes to police the hiring practices of Massachusetts state officials.”

Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2017/01/06/bridgegate-defense-cites-ruling-new-trial-request/96241140/