MSNBC "The Rachel Maddow Show" - Transcript: New Jersey Port Authority Scandal

Interview

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MADDOW: Joining us now is New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski.
He`s chairman of the investigation committee which is leading this in New
Jersey thus far.

Mr. Chairman, thanks very much for being here.

ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN WISNIEWSKI (D), NEW JERSEY: Rachel, good to be here.

MADDOW: Governor Christie said today he would cooperate with all
appropriate inquiries. Is that a change in attitude toward your
investigation from the governor, or is that consistent with what he has
said in the past?

WISNIEWSKI: Well, he didn`t use the word "appropriate" when he made
his apology the other day. And today he chose to use the word
"appropriate." I certainly hope he considers the assembly committee an
appropriate authority because we do consider ourselves that. That`s our
job.

And we`re going to be asking questions, and we`d expect his
cooperation.

If he went through the troubles of saying those words the other day
and then again today, they ought to mean something.

MADDOW: The assembly started its new session today. On Thursday,
you`ll be convening, as I understand it, to make some votes and make some
decisions about exactly what`s going to happen with the new committee that
you`re going to be heading including the involvement of a special counsel.
What`s going to happen on Thursday and what happens after that?

WISNIEWSKI: We`re going to adopt a resolution. We`re going to create
this new committee.

This started in the Transportation Committee because we`re looking at
the Port Authority and became much bigger an took us right into the
governor`s office. And so, now, this investigation is more than just about
the Port Authority. It`s about an abuse of power and attempt to conceal
that abuse. It was appropriate to make the committee a little broader,
widen its jurisdiction and also to bring in assistance to help us because
the issues have become much more complicated.

Instead of looking just simply at one agency and talking to the people
in the agency, we`re now talking potentially into the governor`s office
about people who work for the governor and other state agencies and so we
wanted to make sure that we had the right type of legal counsel to make
sure we`re making the right decisions, issuing our subpoenas in the correct
fashion, making sure we`re not doing anything that would in some way
unintentionally harm the investigation.

MADDOW: This appointment of a special counsel seems like an important
part of taking it to this next level that you`re about to start on
Thursday. Can you tell us anything about who`s being considered for the
special counsel job? And is it -- is their role limited to that kind of
advice that you described there or would it have anything to with any
potential prosecutions that might emerge out of the investigation?

WISNIEWSKI: The assembly is not a prosecution agency. We`re a
legislative body. So their role is not one of being a prosecutor. But
what we are looking at are law firms and individuals who have the type of
experience, who know about running investigations. People who have been
involved, for instance, working in the U.S. attorney`s office or other
federal investigative agencies, to make sure that we have the right type of
guidance so that we make sure we`re making the right decisions.

MADDOW: In terms of what`s going to happen next, obviously in the
documentation that was released at the end of last week, a lot of people in
the governor`s top-tier staff are mentioned directly in those e-mails.
Those of us guessing where you`re going next are expecting subpoenas from
people like Bridget Anne Kelly. Can you tell us if that`s the next step?

WISNIEWSKI: There are going it to be subpoenas as early as Thursday.
After the assembly meet, the committee meets then we`ll issue those
subpoenas. And there are going to be subpoenas into the governor`s office.
There`s going to be a lot of subpoenas. I don`t want to surprise
people by telling them tonight. They`re going to be coming. And we`re
going to be looking at figuring out where the chain of e-mails came from.
I mean, you`ve pointed out, others have pointed out, you don`t get an
e-mail "it`s time for traffic problems in Fort Lee" unless there was some
discussion beforehand. Somebody higher than you made you believe you had
the authority. Right now, we don`t know who that is. We`d like to find
out.

The way to find out is look at the documents that Bridget Kelly may
have had, that Bill Stepien may have had. Did this come from the state
Republican Party? Was the Republican Party of New Jersey directing
operations of at least one person in the governor`s office? That would be
stunning if proven.

MADDOW: Have there been any orders to either the governor`s office or
to the Republican Party or groups or individuals who may be involved,
telling them not to destroy e-mails and communications related to this
matter?

I mean, I`m thinking if I was one of the staffers who got my name
mentioned in one of the e-mails without orders not to do so, I`d be burning
my hard drives.

WISNIEWSKI: I understand that. And that`s one of the things -- one
of the reasons we`re bringing on special counsel to make sure we have the
right kind of advice and those type of notices go out to all potential
targets of our investigation.

This is going to be a lot larger than it had been. And we`re going to
be looking at all of the relevant and realistic leads to find where all
these questions go to.

MADDOW: In terms of the senate also looking into this. Senator
Loretta Weinberg is going to be with us in just a moment talking about the
Senate now taking up their own committee which will also have subpoena
power. They`re also pursuing it on that side of the legislature.
Is that a competing body? Do you expect you guys will work in a way
that dovetails?

WISNIEWSKI: Well, I hope we can collaborate and work together.
Senator Weinberg and I have been working jointly, even though it`s in an
unofficial capacity. It`s an assembly committee investigation. I`ve
included her every step of the way as we`ve gone through the investigation.
I`d like to continue that process as we move forward.

MADDOW: All right. Assemblyman John Wisniewski, the chairman of the
Transportation Committee, soon to be heading up the assembly`s
supercommittee on this investigation in New Jersey -- thank you for your
time tonight. As always, please keep us posted.

WISNIEWSKI: I will, Rachel.

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