Pursuits
United Fined as ‘Chairman’s Flight’ Snags Allies of Christie
- Ex-Port Authority chairman admits to accepting a bribe
- United to pay $2.25 million as ex-lobbyist is charged
David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, listens at a board meeting on Feb. 19, 2014, in New York City.
Photographer: Andrew Burton/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
A close ally of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pleaded guilty and a second Christie appointee was charged as the state’s top federal prosecutor laid out a scheme of bribery and favor-trading with one of the biggest U.S. airlines.
David Samson, a Christie appointee who was chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2011 to 2014, admitted Thursday he withheld funding and approvals sought by United Airlines. The airline then agreed to restore a money-losing route convenient to Samson’s weekend home in South Carolina, according to documents filed in federal court in Newark.