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Over in the U.S., New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has fired
a top aide who appears to have ordered lane closures at a key bridge connecting New Jersey
and New York City last fall as political payback. Shin Se-min has more on the growing scandal
that could threaten the governor's presidential aspirations. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
apologized Thursday for a growing scandal that threatens to shake his possible run for
the presidency in 2016.
"I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team. There is
no doubt in my mind the conduct they exhibited is completely unacceptable, and showed a lack
of respect for the appropriate role in government and the people we are trusted to serve."
The apology follows revelations that one of his top aides may have ordered the closure
of traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September in what appears to be
an act of revenge. The bridge connects New Jersey to New York
City and is a major commuter route. The scandal broke Wednesday with the revelation
of texts and emails showing that Bridget Anne Kelly, the governor's deputy chief of staff,
and David Wildstein, Christie's top appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey, which manages the George Washington Bridge, may have conspired to orchestrate
the lane closure last fall. The lane closure appears to have been planned
as political payback against a Democratic mayor in the state who refused to endorse
Christie over his Democratic rival in his re-election bid last year.
Christie announced Thursday he had fired Kelly. Wildstein resigned over the scandal early
last month. The office of the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey
has announced it is launching an investigation into the case.
Christie is a rising star in the Republican Party and a possible presidential contender
in 2016. Shin Se-min, Arirang News.