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No. 18-1059October Term 2019Decided May 7, 2020

Docket 18-1059October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Kelly v. United States

This case arose from the New Jersey “Bridgegate” scandal, in which state officials changed traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge to punish the mayor of Fort Lee for refusing to endorse Governor Christie.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released May 7, 2020
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedMay 7, 2020
What it's about

This case arose from the New Jersey “Bridgegate” scandal, in which state officials changed traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge to punish the mayor of Fort Lee for refusing to endorse Governor Christie. The Supreme Court held that, although the scheme was abusive and deceptive, it did not violate the federal wire fraud or federal-program fraud laws because it was not aimed at taking the Port Authority’s money or property.

Question presented

Does a public official "defraud" the government of its property by advancing a "public policy reason" for an official decision that is not her subjective "real reason" for making the decision?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit / Decision released May 7, 2020

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Timing

Decided May 7, 2020

The Court released its decision on May 7, 2020 without hearing oral argument.