New Jersey’s Bridgegate scandal appeared to have widened Monday – with Port Authority chairman David Samson subpoenaed by Manhattan federal prosecutors, according to a published report.
The feds want records related to Samson’s private business interests, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Samson, a close ally of NJ Gov. Chris Christie, has come under increased scrutiny since it was alleged that a September closing of George Washington Bridge lanes in Fort Lee were political payback orchestrated by Christie’s backers.
Sources familiar with the matter told the paper that prosecutors were particularly interested in possible conflicts between Samson’s private business interests and his role as Port Authority chair.
Samson is a lawyer whose prominent New Jersey firm, Wolff & Samson PC, has clients involved in several issues important to elected NJ officials and the Port Authority.
The Manhattan records request is in addition to a probe by Garden State prosecutors who are looking into allegations that Christie administration officials threatened to hold back federal funds if the city of Hoboken didn’t greenlight a real estate deal for one of Samson’s firm’s clients.
Samson has denied advance knowledge of the closures.