By David Cruz
Correspondent
The week since Gov. Chris Christie’s apology heard ’round the world has been a non-stop carousel of press conferences, speeches, committee hearings and now subpoenas, as investigators prepare to unravel the facts behind the lane closures at the GWB.
Late this afternoon, Assembly Democrats confirmed 13 subpoenas for records were issued. They include the governor’s office; Regina Egea, Christie’s incoming chief of staff; Christie’s Communications Director Maria Comella; Spokesman Michael Drewniak; former Christie Campaign Manager Bill Stepien; Former Port Authority officials Bill Baroni and David Wildstein; and PA Chairman David Samson, among others. Many of these individuals were part of email chains that served to break this story wide open, but one of the members of the Senate committee cautioned that no one should rush to judgment about any of the individuals named.
“I think we should all keep in mind that simply because you are subpoenaed before the committee doesn’t mean that you have, in fact, broken any laws at all,” noted Sen. Nia Gill. “We’re simply asking to see your documents in order to make a determination.”
There was a noticeable exhaling on the part of lawmakers today. Committee chairs were laying low. Getting work done, we were told, since they’ve done little else but talk about the bridge and the lanes for close to a month. But Congressman Bill Pascrell, who represents Fort Lee, was very direct.
“People’s lives were put in jeopardy and I want heads to roll on this thing. I don’t care who they are,” he said, expressing concern that so many lawyers were now being hired, which he said could slow the process to a crawl. “We don’t wanna delay this but it’s gonna take as long as they want it to take. I have total confidence in John Wisniewski and Loretta Weinberg who are leading the investigations. I have confidence that we’re finally going to get to the truth and the truth shall lead us. Anybody who makes a partisan issue of this is stupid.”
But a partisan issue it has become. Although they voted to empanel the committee some Republicans have complained about a wall of silence and some foot-dragging regarding subpoenas and evidence.
“The history of this investigation indicates that some of the decisions were made unilaterally by the chairman,” said Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick yesterday. “For example, when emails were obtained by the committee by subpoena, the emails were released to the public and the press prior to members of the committee — minority members of the committee — had an opportunity to see them.”
Those who received notice today have until Feb. 3 to comply. The subpoenas cover all communications between Sept. 1 and Sept. 13, including notes, emails, texts, instant messages, Blackberry messages and any other correspondence. Committee members say they will wade through what will likely be a mountain of evidence before they call anyone to testify.