Almost three months after news broke of the George Washington Bridge traffic jam scandal, The Chairman of the Port Authority of New York And New Jersey, David Samson, has resigned, The New York Times reported.
The Friday announcement was made by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who denies he had any personal involvement in the scandal nicknamed "Bridgegate."
Samson's resignation, effective immediately, was a decision reached mutually by the chairman and governor. Christie said they agreed that new leadership is necessary in order for Port Authority to revise itself, The NY Times reported.
Samson's resignation comes at the same time several investigations are underway into the lane closures on the bridge in September 2013 that brought four days of severe traffic jams. The Port Authority is in charge of the bridges between the two states.
Christie, however, said Samson's resignation is unrelated to the scandal and that he had long considered retirement.
"I think that his role was not central in any of these things, nor has it ever been alleged that his role was central," Christie said, The NY Times reported. "He is 74-years old and he is tired."
Samson, who was appointed to his position in 2011, issued a statement agreeing that it was time for him to leave.
"Over the past months, I have shared with the Governor my desire to conclude my service to the PANYNJ," said Samson's statement obtained by The NY Times. "The timing is right now, and I am confident that the Governor will put new leadership in place to address the many challenges ahead."
Samson is not the first official connected to the governor to leave their post in the midst of the Bridgegate scandal. Bridget Ann Kelly, a top Christie aide, was fired for sending an email approving the lane closures. David Wildstein, the Port Authority official who received the email, has also left his position.
The lane closures were coordinated in an alleged attempt to retaliate against the Democrat mayor of Fort Lee for not supporting the Republican governor.
