The Noose Tightens: Christie Pal Sent GWB Closure Updates from Scene

NyPo has the scoop:

 A new player in the Bridgegate scandal has emerged with personal ties to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Port Authority Police Officer Thomas “Chip” Michaels, who is linked to the Republican governor, was at the scene during the September lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, touring snarled traffic in Fort Lee, N.J., and texting periodic updates about it.

Michaels drove David Wildstein, a Christie appointee to the Port Authority who oversaw the lane closures, to the bridge on the first day of the traffic jams, according to documents Wildstein submitted to the New Jersey legislature’s Bridgegate investigation.

Michaels also sent text messages to Wildstein, including one on the first day of the traffic jams, in which he claimed to have an idea to “make this better.”

It was not clear what he meant.

The PA cop has several links to Christie.

Michaels and his brothers grew up with Christie in Livingston, N.J. The Michaels brothers have been described in past news accounts as a childhood friends of the governor.

Michaels also coached Christie’s son in little league hockey, according to MSNBC.

Another of the Michaels brothers, Jeffrey Michaels, is a prominent Republican lobbyist in New Jersey and a Christie ally.

The presence of Micahels at the scene of the traffic nightmare raises further questions about Christie’s involvement in the alleged political-retribution scheme.