N.J. judge again finds probable cause in Christie bridge case complaint

A New Jersey municipal court judge has again ruled that probable cause exists that Gov. Christie engaged in official misconduct in his handling of the September 2013 lane closures at the George Washington Bridge.

Roy McGeady, presiding judge of the municipal courts in Bergen County, ruled Thursday that a citizen’s complaint against Christie could proceed. The next step, however, is unclear. McGeady’s ruling sent the case back to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, according to a court spokesman. That office has said it did not intend to pursue charges.

The complaint, brought by retired Teaneck firefighter Bill Brennan, says Christie “knowingly refrained from ordering that his subordinates take all necessary action” to reopen lanes to the bridge that were closed in an act of political retribution. Two of the Republican governor’s former allies were convicted in the lane-closure scheme in November. Christie was not charged.

In court Thursday, McGeady said there was "probable cause to believe the governor knew this was more than just an ordinary and productive traffic study and the consequences were upsetting to the mayor of Fort Lee.”

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