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State Sen. Richard Codey wouldn't name names, but he said some Democrats tried to "stop cold" an investigation into the George Washington Bridge scandal to protect Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

(Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — State Sen. Richard Codey said today that some Democrats tried to quash an investigation into the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal to protect Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

Codey (D-Essex), a former governor who will become the longest-serving legislator in Trenton on Tuesday, said today that while the state Assembly was ramping up its investigation on the massive traffic jam — eventually finding that several people in Christie's office were involved — there was "an intense campaign" by some Democrats to stop it in its tracks.

"People know that there was an effort by certain Democratic circles to have this thing not see the light of day," Codey said today.

Codey refused to give names. The top spokesman for the Assembly Democrats, Tom Hester, said today he knew of no efforts to stop the investigation.

The incoming speaker of the state Assembly, Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson), said no one pressured him to stop the digging.

"It was never asked or even somewhat insinuated," Prieto said. "Zero."

Earlier in the day, Codey told MSNBC that Christie was known to cut deals with Democratic power brokers "who are not members of the Legislature."

It was a reference to two of Codey's longtime rivals — Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and South Jersey businessman George Norcross. Codey has also feuded with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), a longtime Norcross ally who is friendly with Christie.

"They deliver him votes — simple as that," Codey told MSNBC. "In my opinion those power brokers are still trying to disrupt this investigation, without question. There's a movement afoot — it has been for awhile — to stop this whole thing and stop it cold."

Democratic leaders in the Assembly announced today that they would form a special investigative committee this week, to be led by Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), to spearhead the growing inquiry into the lane closures and allegations that they were shut down by Christie aides seeking political retribution.

On a parallel track, Sweeney announced today that the Senate would form its own investigative panel, to be led by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen).

"There are still more questions than answers and we cannot rest until we know exactly what happened in Fort Lee," Sweeney said in a statement. "We plan to work collaboratively with our Assembly colleagues and the committee they have created to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."

Weinberg said she has been looking into the lane closures since mid-September, attending meetings of the Port Authority and repeatedly seeking answers from the agency's commissioners.

"Not one person suggested in any way, shape or form that I stop doing this," Weinberg said. "I don't know who Senator Codey is talking about, but whoever he's talking about, it's not me. I am the majority leader of the state Senate and I have the trust and confidence of the Senate president."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article said Codey was referring to some Senate Democrats as the ones opposed to the investigation. Codey was referring only to Democrats.

Star-Ledger staff writer Matt Friedman contributed to this report.

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