2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumNew Jersey Assembly Committee Finds Christie Pal In Contempt
ERIC LACH JANUARY 9, 2014, 2:18 PM EST
A New Jersey legislative committee on Thursday found a former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive in contempt for refusing to answer questions connected to the George Washington Bridge lane closing scandal.
Before the committee voted, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D), the chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, said that David Wildstein's decision to refuse to answer questions from the committee "places him in contempt of this committee, which is a misdemeanor."
Wildstein asserted his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent at the start of the hearing, and his lawyer later argued that the committee would not be acting appropriately if it did find Wildstein in contempt.
"I would submit that the rules that the chair just cited are at variance with the United States and New Jersey constitutions," Wildstein's lawyer, Alan Zegas, said.
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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/wildstein-contempt
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)The contempt charges seem appropriate in those circumstances.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)that this right only applies in the context of a criminal case, it is generally accepted law that a witness before Congress or other legislative body can invoke the right IF they have reason to believe their testimony MAY BE or IS LIKELY TO BE used against them in a future criminal case.
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)I'll look around for the case law(s). Thanks.
Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)Unless closing the lanes as part of a political vendetta constitutes a crime he has no right to claim the 5th imo.
Blue Idaho
(5,057 posts)He's just a cog in the machine.
lancer78
(1,495 posts)Dave Chappell