Bridgeaplooza attorney’s firm has past ties to state Democrats, state records show
The firm that employs the attorney hired by the legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal represented Democrats in both the 2001 and 2011 legislative redistricting efforts, collecting nearly $760,000 in the process, according to state records.
Jenner and Block, where attorney and former prosecutor Reid Schar is a partner, was legal counsel for the Democratic team that helped redraw the state’s legislative districts three years ago. That committee was led by then Democratic state Chairman John Wisniewski, who also leads the committee investigating the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge, a scandal that has engulfed the Christie administration and to date has cost four people their jobs.
Democrats ultimately prevailed in the 2011 effort, coming away with a map that all but ensured they’d keep control of the legislature for the next decade. For their efforts, Jenner and Block was paid $205,693, according to state records. The last invoice from the firm was submitted in December 2012.
The Chicago-based Jenner and Block also represented the Democratic team in 2001. That effort also led to a Democratic win. The law firm was paid $554,580 for that effort.
State Sen. Kevin O’Toole, a member of the committee, rasied the issue at the first meeting Monday. (Isherwood/NJ.com)
