TRENTON, NJ — A loyalist to Gov. Chris Christie who was kept in the loop as a political payback scandal unfolded in New Jersey now has a new job.
Bill Stepien has been hired by FLS Connect, a Minnesota political consulting firm with ties to the Republican Party.
Company President Sheila Berkley says the firm is excited to have someone with Stepien’s knowledge and experience.
The political operative managed both of Christie’s gubernatorial campaigns and was seen as likely to be tapped if Christie decided to run for president in 2016.
But the governor cut ties with Stepien in January, after emails surfaced showing he knew more about the plot to block traffic near the George Washington Bridge than Christie had acknowledged.
Federal and legislative investigations into the lane closings are under way.