TRENTON — The state legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal is looking into whether Gov. Chris Christie flew in a State Police helicopter over Fort Lee at the time of last year's controversial lane closures, according to a source with knowledge of the probe.

The source, who is not authorized to speak about the investigation, requested anonymity.

The panel issued a new set of 18 subpoenas today, including one to the New Jersey State Police aviation unit, which oversees the governor's helicopter travel.

Democrats have accused Christie's office of organizing traffic-snarling closures at the nation's busiest bridge last September in a case of political retribution. But the Republican governor has maintained that he did not know about the closings until after they were over and reported in the media.

Colin Reed, a spokesman for Christie's office, confirmed today that the Republican governor did fly in a helicopter from New York City to Trenton on Sept. 11 of last year — the third day of the closures. But asked whether the aircraft passed over the bridge, Reed declined comment.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported today that the committee is also seeking whether Christie flew with then-Port Authority official David Wildstein, the former Christie ally who is credited with organizing the closures.

But Reed told The Star-Ledger that Wildstein has never shared a helicopter with the governor.

Christie's office has faced intense scrutiny over the last few weeks regarding the closures. Democrats allege that the governor's administration hatched the plan as punishment because Fort Lee's Democratic mayor declined to endorse the Republican governor for re-election last year.

Wildstein, a former Christie ally and high school classmate of the governor's, resigned from the Port Authority in December amid mounting speculation over the closures.



Then, on Jan. 8, an email surfaced showing Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's deputy chief of staff, appeared to have advance knowledge of the closings. "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," she wrote to Wildstein.

"Got it," Wildstein wrote back.

On Jan. 9, Christie fired Kelly and apologized for the matter. But the governor has repeatedly said he was not personally involved in the plan.

The legislative committee is looking into any conversations Christie may have had with Wildstein on Sept. 11 — the third day of the five-day closures — after pictures surfaced showing them together that day, according to the report by the Post.



Reed told The Star-Ledger that the governor traveled via ferry from Jersey City to Manhattan for a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and flew back to Trenton via helicopter. He added that Wildstein was aboard neither the helicopter nor the ferry.

"David Wildstein did not ride with him that day, or any day, as he has never flown in the helicopter with the governor," Reed said.

Last month, Wildstein's attorney sent a letter saying "evidence exists" that Christie knew about the closings while they were happening. Christie has denied that.

This isn't the first time Christie has faced questions over his helicopter use. Two years ago, he came under fire for frequently flying in State Police helicopters, including one instance when he traveled in one from his son's baseball game to a meeting.

Star-Ledger staff writer Christopher Baxter contributed to this report.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Chris Christie bridge scandal investigators may issue about a dozen new subpoenas

• Timeline of Port Authority's George Washington Bridge controversy

• Complete coverage of bridge scandal







FOLLOW STAR-LEDGER POLITICS: TWITTER • FACEBOOK • GOOGLE+