http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/231968-christie-facing-new-criminal-probeFebruary 05, 2015, 08:34 pm
Christie facing new criminal probe
By David McCabe
Federal authorities are investigating New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and his administration in a new criminal probe, according to reports.
Bennett Barlyn alleges that he was fired from his job as a Hunterdon County prosecutor in 2010 after objecting to the dismissal of indictments against a number of Christie supporters.
Barlyn said he had spoken with federal investigators on Wednesday about his claims, the International Business Times first reported on Thursday.
According to Barlyn, the prosecutor's office secured indictments against a sheriff and other officials before the Christie administration took over the investigation and got the indictments overturned, saying they were not based on strong evidence.
Barlyn has also filed a whistleblower suit that remains open. He also told ABC News he was unsure if investigators had spoken to others about the case.
Christie's office has denied the allegations of wrongdoing, previously calling the allegations "conspiratorial nonsense," according to ABC.
The federal probe reportedly is focused on why New Jersey's then-Attorney General Paula Dow dismissed the indictments.
The investigation — which is reportedly in its preliminary stages — comes at a poor time for Christie, who is considering launching a presidential campaign in the coming months.
He has faced allegations of corruption before, when his staff closed part of the George Washington Bridge to cause traffic as retribution for a New Jersey mayor who had not endorsed the governor.
Investigations into that incident remain open but a probe by New Jersey lawmakers in December found no evidence that Christie was involved in the decision to close lanes on the bridge.
