Christie aide on trial says she told him of 'traffic study'

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former deputy chief of staff testified Friday in her criminal trial that she told him about a traffic study on the George Washington Bridge before sending an email that it was "time for some traffic problems," which prosecutors say started a political revenge plot.

Bridget Kelly is accused of plotting with two other former Christie allies to close lanes on the bridge that connects New Jersey and New York as revenge against a Democratic mayor who wouldn't endorse the Republican governor's re-election effort in 2013.

The release of the "traffic problems" email was what blew the scandal into full public view and led to Christie firing Kelly and his campaign manager, Bill Stepien.

Sometimes in tears, Kelly also testified that Christie once threw a water bottle at her, angry that she suggested he introduce local political leaders at an unrelated event.

While Christie cut Stepien loose in January 2014, he later took a position running a think tank for New Jersey Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno and is now part of the Republican presidential campaign of Donald Trump, for whom Christie is a top adviser and transition team chairman.