Bridge Scandal Spurs Class Action Lawsuits

According to NJ.com, a class action lawsuit has been filed in a federal court against the government officials connected to the George Washington Bridge scandal in New Jersey.

The website reported that the lawsuit was filed in Superior Court in Hackensack last week, naming the Gov. Chris Christie and Bill Stepien, the governor’s former campaign manager, as defendants. It also named Christie’s former deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, David Wildstein, who resigned as director of interstate capital projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority, who also resigned following the controversy, as defendants.

It reportedly seeks action for “any and all individuals and business owners” who were inconvenienced by lane closures between September 9 and September 15, 2013.

The lawsuit seeks damages for people who were late to work or who faced economic consequences because of the lane closures on the bridge, and filed on behalf of six livery car companies that say they lost business because of the closures. The companies are GW Car Service, Lime Taxi, Palisades Enterprises, Fort Lee Car Service, Van R Us and Bergen Transportation Services.

In September, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, without prior notice, closed two access lanes on the New Jersey side of the bridge down, causing massive traffic delays. Soon after, rumors began to swirl that the shut down may have been an orchestrated political move against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, who endorsed Christie’s opponent in the 2013 gubernatorial campaign. An investigation into the closures is ongoing. Christie has denied having a role in intentionally closing the bridge.

In addition to the livery lawsuit, six New Jersey residents have also filed a federal class action lawsuit against Christie, the state of New Jersey and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, claiming they were late for work because of the lane shutdowns.

If you have been wronged and have any interest in speaking with the attorney about a potential class action lawsuit, please contact Gary S. Graifman, Esq., to schedule a free initial consultation or complete the form on this page to let our skilled attorneys review your case.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. – Class Action Lawyers

Source: http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/01/class-action_lawsuit_by_livery_drivers_accuses_christie_administration_of_reckless_conduct_in_gwb_la.html

KGG’s Corner: Approximately 102 million vehicles travel the George Washington Bridge each year.