So what happens to you when you are part of one of the messier political controversies in recent history? When your actions in that scandal end in you being fired? Well, you get an offer to work in the White House, of course!
At least, if you are Bill Stepien, that is.
Stepien was an aide to the Republican Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and was fired in the wake of the infamous Bridgegate scandal in 2014. Stepien and other members of Christie’s staff closed lanes on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution. When their actions were uncovered, a federal investigation followed.
While Stepien was not one of the staff members charged by the federal authorities, court documents revealed that Christie himself “just flat out lied about senior staff and Stepien not being involved” and further cemented the aide’s tie to the illegal actions. Not exactly a sterling reputation, I’d say.
Stepien was named to the post of White House Political Director, and his hiring was one of many west wing staffer positions that President-elect Donald Trump filled today. Chris Christie himself was a big supporter of Donald Trump during the primary season and the election but was surprisingly snubbed by Trump for any major jobs in his transition team.
White House chief of staff Reince Priebus released a statement about the many members, including Stepien, to the Trump transition team today. It read:
“These individuals will be key leaders in helping to implement the President-elect’s agenda and bring real change to Washington…”
So, you are bringing a man accused of petty political revenge and tied to a major political scandal on board. Makes one worry a little about what kind of “change” we’re going to see during the next four years.
Watch CNN talk about Christie’s ties to Trump here:
Featured image via Daily Entertainment News.
