Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey knew of lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge as it was happening and that the closings were intended to punish a local mayor for declining to support him, prosecutors said on Monday.
Prosecutors made the claim during opening statements in the trial of two former Christie administration officials charged with closing the lanes in 2013 and then covering it up.
Mr. Christie has insisted that he had no knowledge of the plot to close the lanes, and said that he did not recall being told about the closings while they were happening.
Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) longtime ally, David Wildstein, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy, stemming from his role in the “Bridgegate” scandal.