Bridge-Gate defendant Bridget Kelly breaks down while testifying in trial

It was an emotional day for Bridge-Gate co-defendant Bridget Kelly as she testified in her defense in the trial. Kelly broke down crying as she described Gov. Chris Christie as an angry and abusive

News 12 Staff

Oct 22, 2016, 1:59 AM

Updated 2,888 days ago

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It was an emotional day for Bridge-Gate co-defendant Bridget Kelly as she testified in her defense in the trial.
Kelly broke down crying as she described Gov. Chris Christie as an angry and abusive boss.
She testified that she had no idea that closing the Fort Lee access lanes to the George Washington Bridge was a revenge plot against the Fort Lee mayor. She says she thought that it was a traffic study.
Kelly is the former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Christie. She is facing conspiracy charges along with former Port Authority official Bill Baroni.
While testifying Friday, Kelly says that former Port Authority boss David Wildstein told her he organized the supposed traffic study, and that it would be such a success that they should plan an event at the bridge after it was complete with banners that said "Thanks Gov. Christie."
Wildstein would later plead guilty to the conspiracy and testified on behalf of prosecutors as part of a plea deal.
Kelly says that she told Gov. Christie in August 2013, one month before the lane closures, about the traffic study. She says she told the governor that it would cause traffic backups in Fort Lee. She says the governor signed off on the study.
Kelly described herself as a staffer who was nervous around the governor. She recalled an incident during an emergency roundtable in Seaside Heights after the massive boardwalk fire. She says she suggested that Gov. Christie introduce the commissioners at the meeting and she says he became furious.
She broke down in tears as she said that the governor told her, "What do you think I am? A f---ing game show host?" Kelly says Gov. Christie then through a water bottle, which hit her arm.
Kelly also mentioned another time the governor yelled at her and told her to cancel a meeting with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop after Fulop refused to endorse Gov. Christie in his 2013 re-election campaign.
A spokesman for the Gov.Christie said Friday night that the governor had "no knowledge prior to or during these lane re-alignment" and "no role in authorizing them."
Spokesman Brian Murray says anything "said to the contrary is simply untrue."