NEWARK -- David Wildstein arrived at federal court in Newark this morning amid reports that he planned to plead guilty to criminal charges in the George Washington Bridge lane closing scandal.

Wildstein, 53, and his attorney, Alan Zegas, arrived in a black Mercedes and entered the courthouse around 8:30 a.m. amid a throng of reporters and camera crews.

MORAN:

Bearded and markedly thinner since his last public appearance in January 2014 when he refused to answer questions from a legislative panel investigating the lane closings, Wildstein did not respond to questions from the press as he entered.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman will hold a 1 p.m. press conference in Newark to address "a proceeding of interest in a criminal matter," his office said Friday morning.

David Wildstein, at Jan. 2014 hearing at left, and at Newark federal court on Friday, May 1.

Officials did not indicate who may be facing indictment, or specify the nature of the charges, saying only there were developments related to the 16-month investigation being announced today.

According to news reports, Wildstein, the former director of interstate capital projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will enter a guilty plea for unspecified charges.

At his Montville home, a white SUV could be seen leaving at 5 a.m. and moving down the street at high speed.

Outside the courthouse, personnel started setting up metal barricades just after 8 a.m. to keep the dozen or so photographers already assembled at bay.

Wildstein and Zegas were escorted by U.S. marshals following a meeting with officials from the pretrial services unit and entered a private conference room.

State Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a member of the joint legislative committee investigating the closings, arrived at the courthouse just after 10. She told reporters she did not know what charges were expected.

NJ Advance Media staff writers S.P. Sullivan and Thomas Zambito contributed to this report.

Kathryn Brenzel may be reached at kbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiebrenzel. Find NJ.com on Facebook