Government favors open hearing in bridge co-conspirator case

Unsealed filings in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case show prosecutors want a hearing involving a person on a list of unindicted co-conspirators open to the public.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday the June 6 hearing is to be open. A person identified as John Doe has challenged a judge’s order to release the list of co-conspirators and had sought to have the hearing closed.

The person says they’ll be branded a criminal if the list is released.

The U.S. attorney’s office sided with the media organizations including The Associated Press in requesting the hearing be public.

Two former allies of Gov. Chris Christie face trial for allegedly closing access lanes to the bridge to punish a local mayor who didn’t endorse Christie. Christie has denied knowledge and hasn’t been charged.