Role Political Consultant Succeeded by Louis C. Goetting Parents Richard Daul | Religion Roman Catholic Name Bridget Kelly Siblings Liam Daul, Eamon Daul | |
Full Name Bridget Anne Daul Spouse Joseph Patrick Kelly (m. 1995–2012) Education | ||
Bridgegate bridget anne kelly and bill baroni sentenced
Bridget Anne Kelly (née Daul) is the former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie. Kelly, a New Jersey native, grew up in Ramsey and graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 1990. She graduated from Mount St. Mary's University in 1994 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.
Contents
- Bridgegate bridget anne kelly and bill baroni sentenced
- Ex aide Christie approved bridge traffic study
- Fort Lee lane closure scandal
- Conviction
- Personal life
- References
She began her government career by working as a legislative aide to Assemblyman David C. Russo, later becoming Russo's chief of staff. In 2010, Kelly became Director of Legislative Relations under Governor Chris Christie. In April 2013, Christie appointed her to be his Deputy Chief of Staff.
On November 4, 2016, Kelly was convicted for her involvement in the "Bridgegate" affair. She was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on March 29, 2017.
Ex-aide: Christie approved bridge traffic study
Fort Lee lane closure scandal
On November 4, 2016, Kelly was found guilty in connection with the four-day closures of entrance ramps to the George Washington Bridge in the late summer of 2013, in part of what has been described as politically motivated retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey.
On August 13, 2013, Kelly sent an eight-word e-mail to David Wildstein, a Christie appointee to the board of commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, that read, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Wildstein responded to Kelly's e-mail: "Got it." In a texting exchange the next day, Wildstein relayed to Kelly a text from Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich in which he complained about the traffic jam and said, "The bigger problem is getting kids to school. Please help. It's maddening." Kelly replied, "Is it wrong that I'm smiling?"
On January 9, 2014, after the emails were disclosed, the governor announced that he had fired Kelly, calling her action "stupid" and "deceitful" and claiming her actions had caused him to mislead the public. That day, Kelly was named as a defendant in a federal class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that cited a civil conspiracy and "willful, wanton, arbitrary, and egregious official misconduct". In the wake of her firing, police established no parking zones outside of Kelly's home in Ramsey to keep press and gawkers away, while "no trespassing" signs were placed on the lawn of the home.
When she received subpoenas for documents from the New Jersey legislative committee, Kelly's attorneys indicated she would not comply with the subpoenas, citing their clients' Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure The committee voted to compel Kelly to produce the previously requested documents, instructing special counsel Reid Schar to "take all necessary steps" to enforce them. But Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson found no basis to force Kelly and Bill Stepien, the governor's two-time campaign manager, to comply with the subpoenas. The pair had objected to the requests, issued in January, asserting that being forced to identify and turn over records would violate their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. They called the committee's requests a fishing expedition. The Court agreed.
On May 1, 2015, Kelly was indicted on nine charges in connection with her involvement in the scandal. She pleaded not guilty. Courts have ruled that evidence provided in discovery by the US Attorney cannot be made public. Courts also ruled that all materials used to prepare the so-called Mastro Report which exonerated the Christie administration must be turned over to the defense. The state has denied Kelly's request for reimbursement of legal fees.
Conviction
On November 4, 2016, the jury in the "Bridgegate" trial returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Bridget Kelly and co-defendant Bill Baroni. On March 29, 2017, U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton sentenced to Kelly 18 months in prison and 500 hours of community service.
Personal life
As of 2014, Kelly was unemployed, and a single mother with four children.