Judge denies request for special prosecutor in Christie case

HACKENSACK, N.J. – A New Jersey judge has denied a request for a special prosecutor to be appointed in a criminal misconduct complaint against Republican Gov. Chris Christie in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal.

State Superior Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol on Friday dismissed the motion by a former firefighter who brought the complaint in October. It alleges Christie failed to order subordinates to reopen bridge access lanes in September 2013.

Three of Christie’s former allies were convicted or pleaded guilty in federal court in what prosecutors say was a scheme to punish a Democratic mayor who didn’t endorse Christie.

Christie wasn’t charged in the federal case.

A grand jury would have to hear evidence and hand up an indictment in the state misconduct case before Christie would stand trial.