The Port Authority has launched its own investigation of a PAPD lieutenant who sent text messages that suggest he had advance knowledge of the George Washington Bridge lane closings that caused traffic chaos in Fort Lee, The Post has learned.
Thomas “Chip” Michaels, a 15-year veteran, apparently knew on Sept. 8 of the plan.
“Sir, is there going to be new traffic installed for Monday the 9th?” Michaels texted PAPD Capt. Darcy Licorish the day before the three-day closures began.
The following morning, Michaels texted David Wildstein, Christie’s point man at the Port Authority, about how Ft. Lee bridge traffic was “fkd up here.”
And on the tenth, he provided Wildstein with another text update: “Local ft lee traffic disaster.”
PA spokesman Steve Coleman said Michaels’ status is “under review’ and it’s unclear how long the probe might last.
Jeff Baumbach, a spokesman for the Port Authority lieutenants’ union, declined to comment since the investigation is “ongoing.”
The probe of Michaels, whose brother, Jeffrey, is a prominent lobbyist, was ordered by PA executive director Patrick Foye. It will be carried out by the agency’s inspector general and the PAPD chief of department,
Christie has insisted he had no advance knowledge of the lane-closings, which allegedly were ordered by his associates to punish Ft. Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing him in last November’s election.
The state legislature is also investigating the lane closing.