https://twitter.com/AndreaWNYC/status/732597811737415680
There’s some news out of New Jersey to report as Judge Thomas L. Ambro of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the names of the “unindicted co-conspirators” related to Gov. Chris Christie’s #Bridgegate scandal will stay private, at least for now:
https://twitter.com/AndreaWNYC/status/732574375799574529
STAY granted in Bridgegate John Doe case by federal appellate court judge, so won't see list of unindicted co-conspirators today as planned.
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
Possible that oral arguments to determine secret identity of John Doe & other secret Bridgegate co-conspirators will be held in private.
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
There’s some speculation that one of the names is an “elected or public official or public employee,” which could prove embarrassing to Gov. Christie (especially if it’s him!):
Judge Susan Wigenton had ruled last week in a case brought by a group of media organizations, including WNYC, that the public’s First Amendment right to understand how government works outweighs Doe’s privacy interest. Wigenton strongly hinted in her ruling that Doe is an elected or public official or public employee, and wasn’t entitled to the same rights to have his name kept secret as a private individual.
The “Conspirators Letter” includes all for whom, according to federal prosecutors, “sufficient evidence exists” that they joined the conspiracy to shut down the bridge lanes. It’s distinct from a list of those who knew about the conspiracy, but did nothing to aid and abet it.
When the Third Circuit takes up the appeal in June, Donald Trump’s sister — Judge Maryanne Trump Barry — may be on the panel that hears the case. This is a potential conflict of interest as Christie now has an official title with the Trump campaign:
Appeal on ID of BRIDGEGATE unindicted co-conspirators will be heard by 3rd Circuit Federal Appellate Court–where TRUMP'S SISTER IS A JUDGE.
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
Now that Christie has actual title with Trump 2016, Trump's sister, Judge Barry, COULD recuse herself from Bridgegate case before her court.
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
Trump's SISTER is judge whose court could rule on release of BRIDGEGATE conspirator list in a possibly SECRET hearing day before NJ primary.
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
And apparently it was Barry who introduced Christie to The Donald:
Also worth noting she introduced Christie to Donald. https://t.co/8Ato2NXUW0 https://t.co/05LxqjzU8N
— Ryan Hutchins (@ryanhutchins) May 17, 2016
Another potential judge is the ex-wife of the former head of the DNC, Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania:
Another judge on 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals who could rule on Bridgegate case? PA Gov. Rendell's ex-wife, Marjorie https://t.co/9wQ3hDMmJn
— Matt Katz (@mattkatz00) May 17, 2016
Are there any judges that can hear the appeal without a conflict of interest?
We’ll know more in late May:
3d Circuit spox: Judges on three-member panel will be made public at least 10 days before oral arg (june 6). 24 judges total.
— Andrew Seidman (@AndrewSeidman) May 17, 2016
So, even if bridgegate/John Doe court proceeding is closed to public, we'll know which judges are on the panel.
— Andrew Seidman (@AndrewSeidman) May 17, 2016
***
Join the conversation as a VIP Member