Who is Bridget Kelly and what is her connection to Chris Christie?
Bridget Anne Kelly is a former American political staffer who served as deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. She was convicted in 2016 of conspiracy and fraud for her role in the Bridgegate scandal.
Kelly was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964. She graduated from Boston College and Rutgers University School of Law. After working as a lawyer in private practice, she entered politics in 2002, when she was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. She served in the Assembly until 2009, when she was appointed deputy chief of staff to Governor Christie.
In 2013, Kelly was involved in the Bridgegate scandal, in which she and other Christie administration officials ordered the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in order to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for not endorsing Christie's re-election campaign. Kelly was convicted of conspiracy and fraud in 2016 and sentenced to 13 months in prison.
Bridget Kelly and the Bridgegate Scandal
The Bridgegate scandal was a major political scandal in New Jersey that involved the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in order to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for not endorsing Christie's re-election campaign. Kelly was one of several Christie administration officials who were convicted in connection with the scandal.
The scandal began in September 2013, when Kelly and other Christie administration officials ordered the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge. The closures caused major traffic jams in Fort Lee, and it was later revealed that the closures were politically motivated.
Kelly was convicted of conspiracy and fraud in 2016 and sentenced to 13 months in prison. She was released from prison in 2017.
The Bridgegate scandal was a major embarrassment for Christie, and it damaged his reputation. He was not re-elected to a second term as governor in 2017.
Bridget Kelly's Role in the Bridgegate Scandal
Kelly played a key role in the Bridgegate scandal. She was the one who ordered the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge. She also lied to investigators about her involvement in the scandal.
Kelly's actions were motivated by a desire to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for not endorsing Christie's re-election campaign. She believed that the lane closures would cause traffic jams in Fort Lee and make the mayor look bad.
Kelly's actions were a clear abuse of power. She used her position as deputy chief of staff to Governor Christie to punish a political opponent.
Kelly's conviction was a major victory for the prosecution. It sent a message that public officials cannot abuse their power for political gain.
FAQs on Bridget Kelly and Chris Christie
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Bridget Kelly and Chris Christie, their involvement in the Bridgegate scandal, and its aftermath.
Question 1: What was Bridget Kelly's role in the Bridgegate scandal?
Bridget Kelly was the deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. She played a key role in the Bridgegate scandal by ordering the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in order to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, for not endorsing Christie's re-election campaign.
Question 2: Why was Chris Christie not charged in the Bridgegate scandal?
Chris Christie was not charged in the Bridgegate scandal because prosecutors could not prove that he had prior knowledge of the lane closures. However, many people believe that Christie must have known about the closures, and that he should have been held accountable for his staff's actions.
Question 3: What are the key takeaways from the Bridgegate scandal?
The Bridgegate scandal is a reminder that public officials must not abuse their power for political gain. It is also a reminder that even the most powerful people can be held accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
The Bridget Kelly and Chris Christie saga is a cautionary tale about the dangers of political corruption. Kelly's actions in the Bridgegate scandal were a clear abuse of power, and they damaged the reputation of both herself and Christie. The scandal is a reminder that public officials must always act in the best interests of the people they serve, and that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The Bridgegate scandal also highlights the importance of a free and independent press. The media's coverage of the scandal helped to bring the truth to light and hold those responsible accountable. In a democracy, a free and independent press is essential for ensuring that the government is transparent and responsive to the people.
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