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New Christie Bridgegate documents released

A massive cache of documents related to New Jersey’s Bridgegate scandal have been released by the state Assembly committee looking into the politically-motivated payback plot.

The thousands of documents, entered into the public record Thursday,  were the focus of a public hearing during which shamed former Port Authority official David Wildstein was hauled in front of the committee and grilled over his role in ordering the diabolical, multi-day lane closure that caused four-hour backups, left school kids stranded on buses and delayed ambulances responding to 911 calls.

Wildstein, a longtime Garden State political player, declined to answer questions citing his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination.

Many of them were released Wednesday and provided a stunning outline of the plan carried out by top aides for Governor Chris Christie, Wildstein and other Port Authority executives.

Wildstein heavily redacted many of the email exchanges and other communication he turned over under subpoena. His lawyer, Alan Zegas,  sparred with committee chair John Wisniewski, over the redactions with Zegas saying the redactions were made on content that was either outside the topics or dates covered under the subpoena.

Noting that it had no way to validate that claim, both sides said they might review the redacted information in a non-public session or with help of a log date provided by Wildstein.

Wildstein resigned in December from his job as director of special capital projects – a gig that had been specially created for him.

Christie, who claimed he was blindsided by the scheme, on Thursday fired deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, whose Aug. 13 email, ‘’time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee’’ sparked the shutdown.