Christie: I'm responsible for actions of aides

Christie: I'm responsible for actions of aides

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Christie says he is responsible for the actions of his aides, who engineered traffic jams as political payback to a town mayor.

Christie spoke at a news conference Thursday. He also announced the firing of a close aide at the heart of the scandal.

Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly is the latest casualty in a widening scandal that threatens to upend Christie's second term and likely run for president in 2016. Emails and texts show that she arranged traffic jams to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, who didn't endorse Christie for re-election.

The governor announced her firing Thursday, saying she lied to him. The governor has denied knowing about the lane closings.

He also says he'll go to Fort Lee on Thursday to apologize.