Report: Chris Christie counter-punches Wildstein

NEW YORK, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in an email that he was being thrown under the bus by former ally David Wildstein.

The email obtained by Politico this weekend said "David Wildstein will do and say anything to save David Wildstein" and reiterated that Christie was not behind the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge and resulting traffic jams in Fort Lee, N.J.

The 700-word message sent to friends and political supporters accused the New York Times of "sloppy" reporting of the flap, and included a litany of supposed examples of Wildstein's duplicitous behavior.

"David Wildstein has been publicly asking for immunity since the beginning, been held in contempt by the New Jersey Legislature for refusing to testify, failed to provide this so-called 'evidence' when he was first subpoenaed by the N.J. Legislature and is looking for the Port Authority to pay his legal bills," the email said.

Wildstein's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Times said it stood by its reporting.

Meanwhile, Christie soldiered on with public appearances in the run-up to Sunday's Super Bowl in East Rutherford. He received cheers and jeers at an appearance in New York's Times Square.

The New York Daily News said when Christie was introduced to the crowd, one wise guy shouted out, "You made it across the bridge?"