NEWARK -- The leaders of the legislative panel that investigated the Bridgegate scandal said Friday they want to relaunch their probe following the conviction of two former Christie administration insiders in federal court.

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) said the guilty verdicts reached by a jury on Friday were warranted, but they believe a key player in the controversial lane closures at the George Washington Bridge -- Gov. Chris Christie -- was left off the hook.

They said there is now more work for the special legislative committee that had initially investigated the Bridgegate scandal prior to the federal criminal charges against Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly.

"In the aftermath of today's guilty verdict in the Bridgegate scandal, I'm calling on the leadership of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly to reconstitute the Legislative Select Committee on Investigations to look into the actions of Governor Chris Christie," Wisniewski said in a statement issued Friday afternoon.

"With two of the highest ranking members of the Christie administration found guilty of criminal conduct, it is time to find out what the governor knew, when he knew it, and what actions he took in relation to the shutdown of the lanes on the George Washington Bridge," Wisniewski said. "During the trial, numerous witnesses offered testimony under oath that directly contradicts Governor Christie's public statements."

Weinberg said she was not surprised by the guilty verdict, but personally feels bad for Baroni and Kelly, as well as for the many drivers who suffered from the days of traffic jams that resulted from the unexpected lane closures in 2013.

"This saddens me," Weinberg said in a phone interview Friday afternoon. "On behalf of the defendants, I feel sad. On behalf of the people of New Jersey who were forced to ask questions to find out what went on here. On behalf of the people who were caught in those terrible traffic jams in Fort Lee."

Weinberg believes the defendants took the fall for Christie.

"I am outraged at the governor's refusal to take any responsibility," the longtime senator said.

Wisniewski echoed those sentiments.

"The citizens of New Jersey deserve the whole truth in this matter," the Assemblyman said. "It's become clear that Governor Christie has misled them at every turn -- including the statement he released today. The governor will not tell the truth unless compelled under oath."

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) called it a "grim and sad day for New Jersey" and said he "will will soon confer with my fellow legislative leaders about any appropriate legislative action going forward."

Prieto said the trial "raised serious questions about the behavior of the executive branch under this administration. New Jersey requires an executive branch focused on policy, not bullying and crass politics."

Shortly after the verdict was announced, Christie said he was "saddened" by the convictions but vowed to correct what he termed "the lies that were told by the media and in the courtroom" about his involvement in the Bridgegate saga.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.