Panel: Christie Not Involved in Bridgegate Closures

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was not involved in the “Bridgegate” lane closures meant to punish a Democratic mayor who didn’t endorse his candidacy for a second term as governor, a new investigation has found.

The controversy continues despite the apparent exoneration, however, with legislative Republicans saying Democrats used the investigation to try to harm Christie’s nascent presidential candidacy, the New York Daily News reports.

Nonetheless:

The legislative report is the second one to find no evidence that Christie colluded in the Bridgegate scheme. An independent report requested by Christie but carried out by a law firm reached the same conclusion in March.

“There is not a shred of evidence Gov. Christie knew anything about the GWB lane realignment beforehand … the governor and his office can now focus on doing what they do best — serving the public interest,” a Christie spokesman said.

The U.S. Attorney’s office is still investigating.