Christie Likely to Address Bridge-gate on Radio Show

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to take questions Monday night on the Bridge-gate affair for the first time since emails linked aides in his office to a decision to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September.

Monday night's "Ask the Governor" broadcast, airing on New Jersey 101.5 at 7 p.m., will mark the first time the governor has spoken publicly about the issue since holding a nearly two-hour press conference on Jan. 9, reports CNN.

On Dec. 23, when Christie last appeared on the show, he said he had asked his staff to give him a full briefing about the lane closures, saying "they've told me everything that we know . . . None of this makes sense, it's all about politics."

The Republican governor also has yet to answer questions directly about accusations made against his administration by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who says two state officials told her that her city would not receive Superstorm Sandy recovery aid unless she supported a massive development project favored by the governor.

Christie also will likely face questions about new claims made by former Port Authority official David Wildstein that the governor was completely aware of the lane closings when they occurred.

Christie's office has denounced Wildstein, saying his claim is false, and has criticized the The New York Times for reporting on his allegations, insisting that the governor "had no involvement, knowledge or understanding of the real motives behind David Wildstein’s scheme to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge."

Christie appeared on several sports radio shows last week in the buildup to the Super Bowl, but the hosts of those programs said his staff prohibited any questions about Bridge-gate as a condition of his appearance.

State Democrats are urging supporters to put Christie on the spot during the radio show Monday night, reports PolitickerNJ.com. Democratic State Chairman John Currie sent an email to supporters detailing how to get their questions on the air through the station.

"We doubt Gov. Christie will let us ask the questions we want answered, and we have little reason to expect him to be honest with us now. But we need to try," Currie said in the email, according to PolitickerNJ.

Related stories:

• Emails Link Top Christie Aide to 'Bridgegate' Controversy
• Dershowitz: 'The Dominoes Are Beginning to Fall' for Christie