The flights to Columbia from Newark Liberty International Airport, which is run by the Port Authority and where United sought improvements, were more than half-empty on average, according to US government data.
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The probe had involved United’s dealings with former Port Authority of NY and New Jersey (PANYNJ) chairman David Samson, who had used his official authority to pressure United to launch nonstop service between Newark and Columbia, South Carolina.
“Good. I hope they dance to my tune”, Samson replied. United stopped the “Chairman’s flight” shortly after Samson resigned from the Port Authority.
The DOJ made no specific reference in its public statements Thursday to Jeff Smisek, the former United CEO who abruptly stepped down last September as a result of the corruption investigation.
As an outgrowth of the probe into the traffic tie-up, federal prosecutors investigated Samson’s use of his position at the Port Authority to benefit himself and his law firm.
Besides agreeing to the $2.25 million penalty, United also committed to report to the USAO during a two-year period on its compliance efforts, and has implemented a series of measures to prevent and detect bribery.
“Continuing to earn and keep the trust of our employees, customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve around the world remains critical to our success”, United Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz said in the statement.
The governor has now seen five close allies or high-level appointments either be indicted or plead guilty to federal charges. United was not criminally charged, but slapped with a $2.3 million fine for its role in the case. “Unless or until we have evidence that we believe is sufficient to do that, we don’t charge”.
Jamie Fox, a former lobbyist for United who Christie later named to a cabinet post, has been charged by federal prosecutors with soliciting the bribe.
At least one of the United executives understood that the official wanted the route “only because it would be more convenient for him to travel to (his) house in SC”, according to the narrative. After it was approved, Fox emailed Samson to say that “having item off/on this week worked” in getting United’s attention, court documents state.
United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul Fishman speaks during a news conference in Newark, N.J., Thursday, July 14, 2016.
Prosecutors said Samson and Fox, a paid consultant and lobbyist for United who became commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation in September 2014, met with United representatives over dinner in NY. The airline operated the flight twice weekly, with a schedule that catered to Samson’s preference.
Brian Murray, a spokesman for Christie, declined to immediately comment on Samson’s plea or how it might affect the governor’s work with Trump.
Samson, a former state attorney general, led the governor’s transition team in 2009, and Christie appointed him to the Port Authority chairman’s post in 2011.
Under the terms of a plea deal, Samson could be sentenced to a term ranging from probation to up to two years in prison. He faces as much as 10 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced in October.
“Jamie Fox has devoted his entire professional life to serving the citizens of New Jersey and his private clients honorably”, Critchely said, adding “he would never jeopardize his reputation” by engaging in the alleged criminal conduct.
“It undermines the already eroded confidence the public has that government is being operated for their benefit”, said New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski, a Democrat who helped lead an investigative committee that investigated the bridge case.
Samson wasn’t charged in the bridge investigation, in which the Christie allies were accused of causing traffic problems to exact revenge against a politician.
United officials declined to comment on the media reports.
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David Samson, 76, the former chairman of the Port Authority of NY and New Jersey, faces up to two years in prison under a plea agreement for using his position to pressure United into operating a flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Columbia, South Carolina, near where he owned a vacation home.
