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A former staffer to Gov. Chris Christie who is under subpoena in Bridgegate recently took a high-level job at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

((John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — A former aide to Gov. Chris Christie who has been subpoenaed in the George Washington Bridge scandal, recently took a high-level job at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, The Star-Ledger learned today.

Nicole Crifo, who served as the liaison from the governor's office to the Port Authority for three years, was named chief of staff to Deb Gramiccioni, the deputy director of the bi-state agency, last month. Christie selected Gramiccioni to replace Bill Baroni, who has been implicated in the scandal over the closing of access lanes to the bridge in September.

“I recruited Nicole out of private practice back in 2011 because I was looking for somebody smart, tough and honest to work with me in the Authorities Unit,” Gramiccioni told The Star-Ledger. “I recruited her to the Port Authority because she proved herself to be a no-nonsense hard worker who scrutinized the board’s minutes for three years.”

As assistant counsel overseeing authorities, including the Port Authority, Crifo had attended the agency’s meetings and reviewed agenda items for compliance with procurement rules. In her new role, she works closely with her counterpart from New York and earns the same salary, $184,366. She had earned $110,000 while working in the governor’s office.

Gramiccioni said she “did not want to replicate the role of director of interstate capital projects,” the job held by David Wildstein, the former Port Authority staffer at the center of the bridge.

Although never identified by her last name, someone named Nicole is referred to twice in a batch of emails and text messages that Wildstein has turned over to the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee, which is investigating the scandal. Last week Crifo received one of 18 subpoenas issued by the panel.

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