newark n.j. two former associate new jersey governor chris christie sentence federal prison wednesday part bridgegate lane closure scandal help scuttle republican presidential bid bill baroni 45 former deputy executive director port authority new york new jersey serve two years bridget kelly 44 former deputy chief staff christie receive sentence 1-1/2 years defendants find guilty november plot close access lanes george washington bridge link new york city northern new jersey world busy span nearly week 2013 act political retribution prosecutors say result traffic jam town fort lee new jersey intend punish democratic mayor refuse back christie re-election bid governor aid try burnish bipartisan credentials 2016 presidential campaign christie deny involvement charge scandal tarnish national profile contribute record-low approval rat home state nbc interview hear christie deflect question appropriate penalty spokesman governor brian murray say christie would comment sentence u.s. district judge susan wigenton newark reject defense pleas sentence baroni kelly probation rather prison cite outrageous display abuse power agree prosecutors kelly bore slightly less responsibility baroni new jersey highest-ranking port authority official agency oversee operations major bridge port airports new york city area run officials appoint new jersey new york state governors defendants tell wigenton felt remorse respectfully ask allow opportunity reconnect children rebuild live say tearful kelly single mother four baroni kelly allow remain free bail appeal convictions follow sentence kelly strike defiant note outside courthouse fight far say allow scapegoat case plot use bridge inflict political payback playbook dictator banana republic assistant u.s. attorney lee cortes say court trial kelly baroni testify another port authority executive david wildstein convince lane realignment part legitimate traffic study wildstein plead guilty government star witness tell jurors defendants fully aware study cover story kelly infamous email wildstein say time traffic problems fort lee set plan motion prosecutors say three officials select first day school maximize gridlock ignore increasingly desperate pleas help fort lee mayor mark sokolich officials charge bridgegate though evidence trial suggest christie numerous members inner circle know closure early publicly acknowledge number people outside courtroom involve happen fort lee day charge change fact fail baroni say court white house bid fizzle early 2016 christie become one staunch supporters former rival donald trump go win presidency christie head trump transition team consider candidate cabinet post replace transition team chief soon election nov. pass administration job state law bar governor run third term year bridgegate case indirectly lead one conviction authorities investigate plot uncover unrelated bribery scheme orchestrate christie confidante former port authority chairman david samson samson plead guilty pressure unite airlines operate unprofitable flight could visit vacation home easily ex-christie associate get two years prison 'bridgegate scandal