FBI interviewed Christie in bridge scandal

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was interviewed by the FBI as part of its investigation into lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, ABC News reports.

{mosads}ABC reports that Christie voluntarily agreed to be interviewed by prosecutors and FBI agents after he was offered a chance to provide his side of the story. The meeting took place at the governor’s mansion in Princeton, N.J., last month, according to ABC.

“Governor Christie made clear from day one that he and his administration would fully cooperate with all appropriate inquiries,” Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said in an emailed statement. “That’s exactly what he has done and will continue to do, and he is very much looking forward to this matter’s conclusion.” 

Christie is seen as a likely 2016 presidential candidate, and he has been looking to put the bridge scandal behind him. After it was revealed a year ago this month that his deputy chief of staff, Bridget Kelly, had sent an email calling for “traffic problems in Fort Lee,” Christie fired Kelly and asserted that he was not involved. There has been no conclusive evidence made public that contradicts that claim.

ABC reports that interviewing Christie is a mark that the federal investigation is nearing an end, according to people briefed on it. Christie was joined in the interview by his personal lawyer, Christopher Wray, a former head of the Justice Department’s criminal division, ABC reports. 

Christie himself is a former U.S. attorney, a role he highlighted in his bid for governor. 

Christie has been riding the success of Republican governors in November’s elections, when he stumped around the country as head of the Republican Governors Association. 

Christie is reportedly moving up his timetable for a presidential decision to later this month, as Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) appears headed toward a run.