A criminal investigation is being followed through on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the members of his administration.
The federal authorities initiated the investigation after an interview conducted by the U.S. attorney’s office spoke with former Hunterdon County Assistant Prosecutor Bennett Barlyn.
Barlyn claims that he was fired because he refused to let Christie’s officials dismiss indictment against political allies of Christies and his cabinet. International Business Times first reported that the investigation is underway.
He states that there was no real reason why he was fired and that, “I asked for one and was told that I wasn’t entitled to an explanation. I gave up my access to the building. I returned home again completely in the dark although I had a feeling of what precipitated the dismissal. My Internet connection to the office was cut off. And three weeks later I received a one-page faxed dismissal letter from the director of the Division of Criminal Justice. Again, no reason was given of why I was terminated after 18 years of being a state and county prosecutor with a pretty good rep.”
After the magazine reported the case Barlyn then confirmed the investigation to ABC news, where he states, “It is true. I also provided the investigators with names of people I thought could furnish firsthand information.” He told ABC that federal authorities interviewed him at his Pennsylvania home earlier in the week; he is unaware if others have been questioned or interviewed at this time.
While Barlyn is confirming that Christie is misusing his power of indictments, the state officials denied these accusations saying that the indictments were within the discretion of New Jersey’s top law-enforcement officials. They say that Barlyn has no real case; calling the case, “conspiratorial nonsense.”
Via ABC News
