David Samson, the former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey chairman who resigned in the aftermath of the scandal known as “Bridgegate,” announced on Tuesday that he is also stepping down from his law firm.
“For personal, professional and health reasons, I have made the decision to retire,” Samson – a close ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — said in a statement given to msnbc. “After my five decades practicing law, it was time for new leaders to transition the firm for the future.”
The 75-year-old’s alleged conflicts of interest concerning his role in public office and his private business with his law firm, Wolff & Samson, has reportedly been subject of a federal investigation into the 2013 George Washington Bridge lane closures — carried out by some of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s allies and staffers — seemingly for political retribution.
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The Port Authority oversees the George Washington Bridge. Emails that have been made public show Samson was seemingly consulted by those who were involved in the traffic jams.
Gov. Christie has long denied any prior knowledge of the plot but the scheme and the ongoing investigation has given his administration a black eye as he mounts a potential bid for president in 2016.
Warren Cooper, a spokesman for Samson, would not provide any more detail to msnbc on Samson’s decision to step down—including what the former Port Authority chairman’s “health reasons” entail and if the move to retire has anything to do with the ongoing federal investigation.
