Reports: Federal investigators have opened criminal investigation of Gov. Chris Christie

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey have opened a criminal investigation of Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and members of his administration, centering on allegations that then-Attorney General Paula Dow quashed a grand jury investigation of Christie supporters, reports David Sirota at The International Business Times. ABC News confirmed the news, calling the investigation in its early stages.

Both reports are based on interviews with former Hunterdon County prosecutor Bennett Barlyn, who was fired in 2010 for, he says, objecting to Dow taking control of and ending the investigation into the country sheriff and two subordinates, all Christie backers. (A Christie spokesman called the allegations "conspiratorial nonsense" back in 2010.) Barlyn says now that he was recently interviewed by U.S. prosecutor Paul Fishman, and handed over a thumb drive of documents he obtained while pursuing his own state whistleblower lawsuit. A "significant" portion of the interview focused on Christie himself, Barlyn tells The International Business Times.

Fisherman's office "is also investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closures scandal that has jeopardized the governor's political future," ABC News notes. "The Christie administration is also being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, the Port Authority inspector general, and a state legislative committee that is part of the Democratic-controlled New Jersey State Legislature."

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