TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) – The former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official at the center of a controversy about George Washington Bridge lane closures will be called to testify under oath.
A subpoena was issued Tuesday to David Wildstein ordering him to appear before an Assembly panel on Jan. 9, Assemblyman John Wisniewski announced Tuesday.
“What becomes increasingly clear is that this was not about a traffic study,” Wisniewski told WCBS 880’s Jim Smith. “That appears to be a rationale devised after the fact to justify the actions.”
The latest subpoena comes as Wisniewski and his staff review as many as 5,000 documents and emails delivered in recent days to comply with prior subpoenas.
“Every time I think I’m getting to a final conclusion, someone raises additional questions that make it anything from a final conclusion,” said Wisniewski.
Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye and two other officials previously were subpoenaed to testify. Gov. Christie’s top deputy at the agency, former state Sen. Bill Baroni, appeared before the committee voluntarily. He and Wildstein have since resigned.
“The time has come to hear directly from Mr. Wildstein,” said Wisniewski, a Democrat. “The public deserves answers as to how this decision was made, who was involved and its true purpose.”
Wildstein’s lawyer Alan Zegas said he was reviewing the subpoena and would meet with his client after the new year.
A former political blogger and friend of the governor since high school, Wildstein resigned his $150,000-per-year job as of Jan. 1, but was forced to leave sooner as the investigation widened.
The governor said he believes Baroni’s explanation that the lanes were closed to conduct a traffic study. No study has been produced. Foye, an appointee of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, testified that he was unaware of any such study.
