Notable Career Ends With Sentencing In United Airlines Case

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — He once was New Jersey's highest ranking law enforcement official, a mentor to Republican Gov. Chris Christie and the head of one of the nation's most powerful transportation agencies. On Monday, David Samson's next title could be far less glamorous — federal inmate.

Samson faces sentencing for using his position as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2012 to pressure United Airlines to revive a money-losing flight from Newark to Columbia, South Carolina, so he could have easier access to a weekend home in Aiken — which saved him an hour's driving time, as it turned out.

United discontinued the flight shortly after Samson resigned in early 2014.

The backroom deal was struck as United was in negotiations with the Port Authority over a hangar lease at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to prosecutors.

The 77-year-old Samson pleaded guilty last summer to a bribery charge and faces up to two years in prison, though his plea agreement allows for the possibility of probation.

His attorneys, who include former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, filed a brief last week pleading for leniency, writing that Samson's actions were "an aberration in an otherwise unblemished and extraordinary career." They added he is in poor health and is "very likely in the last few years of his life."

Prosecutors wrote in a response brief that Samson should serve the full 24 months for abusing his power "in a stunning and audacious manner."

It is an ignominious ending for one of New Jersey's powerful political players, who headed Christie's transition team and was rewarded with the Port Authority chairmanship in 2011. The Port Authority oversees billions of dollars in assets and operates New York-area bridges, tunnels, ports and airports.

Samson's longevity and influence are reflected in the more than four dozen letters of support filed in advance of his sentencing. The writers include three former state attorneys general and former Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey. Christie didn't write to the court but has called Samson "an extraordinary person" who "obviously had a lapse in judgment."

The letters extol Samson's professionalism, integrity and commitment to ethics; McGreevey described Samson's efforts while attorney general to make access to medical care and addiction treatment more affordable, and praised his "judgment, decency and prodigious work ethic."

Those testimonials are at odds with the portrayal of Samson by former colleagues at the Port Authority regarding the George Washington Bridge scandal, in which two former agency officials face prison for creating traffic jams to punish a Democratic mayor who wouldn't endorse Christie's re-election.

During a trial last fall, one of the officials, David Wildstein, testified Samson knew about the plot beforehand. During the four days of gridlock in September 2013, Wildstein appeared to imply Samson was involved when he texted that Samson was "helping us to retaliate" after Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye put a stop to the lane realignment.

Convicted Port Authority official Bill Baroni testified Samson told him to "punch Pat Foye in the face" over the dispute.

Samson wasn't charged in the bridge scandal, nor was he charged after a federal probe into potential conflicts involving his law firm while he was Port Authority chairman. In one case, New Jersey Transit received a $1-a-year lease from the Port Authority for a park-and-ride lot near the Lincoln Tunnel. The previous lease was for $900,000 annually.

Samson was recorded in meeting minutes as having voted to approve the deal even though his law firm had represented New Jersey Transit.

The Port Authority later explained that Samson meant to recuse himself but his vote was recorded incorrectly. After Samson resigned in 2014, the Port Authority rescinded the lease.