Bill Baroni, one of former Gov. Chris Christie’s two associates convicted for their part in the Bridgegate scandal, has been released from prison following word that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the case.
Baroni had chosen to start serving his 18-month sentence in April, but asked for the release once the high court agreed to hear co-defendant Bridget Kelly’s appeal of her conviction and 13-month sentence.
As the Record reports, a federal appeals court has upheld five of the seven charges the pair were convicted on, stemming from the petty political payback scheme that tied up traffic on the George Washington Bridge and spelled the end of former Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential ambitions.
As The Record reports, the court will be reviewing whether federal prosecutors rightfully used criminal fraud laws to prosecute the political scheme, which inconvenienced thousands.
Christie, who was never charged in the scheme and denied knowing about it, has said that Kelly, his former deputy chief of staff, and Baroni, a former official with the Port Authority, should not have been prosecuted.
Quote of the Day: “Congratulations to legislators in New Jersey for not passing taxes that would have driven large numbers of high-end taxpayers out of the state. Many were planning to leave, and will now be staying. New York and others should start changing their thought process on taxes, fast!” — President Donald Trump.
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