NEWARK — Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni -- central figures in the Bridgegate scandal that has dogged the Christie Administration -- pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that they conspired to create traffic jams in Fort Lee on the first day of the 2013 school year.

Kelly, a former Christie deputy chief of staff and Baroni, a top-ranking executive at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, entered their pleas during a 10-minute morning appearance before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Wigenton.

When Baroni saw Kelly at the defense table he placed his hand over his heart and then clasped her hands. She smiled back at him.

Their attorneys entered the not guilty pleas on their behalf.

Outside the courthouse Kelly and Baroni both vowed to fight the charges against them.

"Make no doubt about about it she will be found not guilty," said Michael Critchley, Kelly's attorney.

Baroni spoke publicly for the first time since the sandal broke 16 months ago.

He said he will testify on his own behalf to clear his name.

"I am an innocent man," Baroni said.

Both were released on unsecured bonds of $150,000 apiece. Kelly, 42, and Baroni, 43, were each named in a 9-count indictment unsealed Friday that accuses them of conspiring to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge to "punish" Fort Lee Mayor Marc Sokolich for not backing Christie in his 2013 reelection bid. e

On Friday, in separate news conferences after their indictments were made public, Kelly and Baroni's attorney attacked their chief accuser, former Port Authority official David Wildstein.

Wildstein, 53, pleaded guilty Friday to federal conspiracy charges and has agreed to cooperate in the prosecution's case against Kelly and Baroni.

Kelly called Wildstein "a liar" and vowed she would not back down. "I will fight relentlessly to clear myself from these charges," she said.

Baroni's attorney, Michael Baldassare, speaking to reporters outside the federal courthouse, challenged Wildstein's credibility. "David Wildstein is a criminal and a liar," Baldassare claimed.

Wigenton set a July 7, 2015 trial date.

They are each facing prison terms of 20 years or more on charges that include wire fraud, conspiring against civil rights and misusing the property of an organization that receives federal funds, namely the Port Authority.

Federal prosecutors say the three purposefully plotted to have the lane closures occur on the first day of the new school year to "punish" Sokolich.

Wildstein's sentencing date has been slated for Aug. 6, 2015 but New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman acknowledged Friday that the date will likely be moved

Thomas Zambito may be reached at tzambito@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomZambito. Find NJ.com on Facebook.