Gov. Chris Christie arrives at a press conference to address the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal. (Credit: Mel Evans/AP)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a lengthy news conference on Thursday to respond to reports that his administration may have closed highway lanes to exact political retribution.



Saying he was "embarrassed and humiliated" by the revelations, Christie announced he had severed ties with two top aides implicated in the growing scandal. He said he had no knowledge of a political payback plan.





Shortly after the marathon press conference wrapped up, former Port Authority executive David Wildstein took the stand before a N. J. Assembly committee and repeatedly refused to answer questions about his own role in the incident.