GOP Pals: Chris Christie, left, and David Wildstein, right, as they appeared in high school yearbook photos.

The mastermind of the Bridgegate lane closure scandal, which helped derail New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s presidential ambitions, avoided a prison sentence on Wednesday, after U.S. prosecutors praised his help in their investigation.

David Wildstein, 55, a former executive at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a high school classmate of Christie’s, provided the key evidence that led to the conviction of two Christie allies.

“Were it not for Mr. Wildstein’s cooperation, it is unlikely that we are even here today,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Cortes told U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton in federal court in Newark, New Jersey.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The judge sentenced Wildstein to three years of probation, noting that he was the only figure in the scandal to accept responsibility for his actions.

Wildstein concocted a scheme to shut down access lanes at the George Washington Bridge in September 2013, causing massive traffic jams as punishment for a local Democratic mayor who declined to support Christie’s gubernatorial re-election bid.

Christie, who was never charged, has denied any involvement, despite Wildstein’s testimony that the governor was aware of the plot as it unfolded.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount