NBC: Chris Christie didn't know about or order George Washington Bridge closure plot

NBC: Chris Christie didn&#039;t know about or order George Washington Bridge closure plot — (Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A nine-month federal investigation into Bridgegate — the traffic-snarling closure of lanes on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge, as apparent political retribution toward the mayor of Fort Lee — hasn't found any evidence that Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) ordered the lane closures himself or knew about them beforehand, NBC 4 reports, citing unidentified federal officials.

The Justice Department investigation is ongoing, but if the final report exculpates Christie, "that's good news for him," Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist polling organization, tells NBC. "The bad news remains that politically as chief executive it looks like he was not in control of his administration at the time when this occurred. So that remains the downside for him. That doesn't go away but this panel provides greater credibility barring any further revelations coming out."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.