US federal prosecutors subpoena Gov. Christie’s campaign in political payback investigation

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s re-election campaign and the state’s Republican Party committee have received subpoenas from federal prosecutors investigating allegations that his aides created traffic jams as political payback.

Mark Sheridan, a lawyer representing Christie for Governor and the Republican State Committee, tells The Associated Press the subpoenas are for documents related to the closure of traffic lanes near the George Washington Bridge.

A state legislative committee investigating the traffic jams has also issued subpoenas to the two organizations.

Sheridan says the Republican governor’s campaign and the party will co-operate with investigators.

The traffic lane closures created gridlock in the town of Fort Lee in September. Documents gathered by legislators suggest the lanes were closed as political payback, possibly because Fort Lee’s mayor declined to endorse Christie.