'Bridgegate' defendant Baroni freed from prison; Kelly surrender date delayed

“Bridgegate” defendant Bill Baroni has been released from prison and defendant Bridget Kelly has had her surrender date delayed after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in the case.

News 12 Staff

Jul 1, 2019, 6:33 PM

Updated 1,989 days ago

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“Bridgegate” defendant Bill Baroni has been released from prison and defendant Bridget Kelly has had her surrender date delayed after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in the case.
U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton signed an order Monday for Bill Baroni's release. He was serving an 18-month sentence.
Wigenton also signed an order Monday saying that Kelly's July 10 surrender date will be postponed until after the court hears her appeal.
Kelly and Bill Baroni were convicted on charges stemming from the political payback scheme in 2016. Prosecutors say that they orchestrated the realignment of lanes to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee without telling local officials. The changes caused major gridlock in the town.
This was supposedly done to punish Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, for not endorsing former Republican Gov. Chris Christie in the 2013 election.
Baroni was sentenced to 18 months and Kelly was sentenced to 13 months for their roles in the crime.
Former Port Authority official David Wildstein pleaded guilty in the case and testified against Baroni and Kelly. He was sentenced to three years’ probation.
Christie was never charged and denied having any knowledge of the plot.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.