New York (CNN) - Another New Jersey representative on the board of commissioners at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is stepping aside, according to several sources with knowledge of the commissioner's plan to hand in his resignation.
Commissioner Anthony Sartor was appointed to his position in 1999 by then-Republican New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman. He continued to serve at the pleasure of several governors including Chris Christie. Sartor is expected to resign soon.
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Sartor is the chairman of the World Trade Center Redevelopment Subcommittee, a role that has seen its share of controversy, thanks to cost overruns and long delays. Sartor is the CEO and a founding member of the New Jersey-based engineering firm Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor. He has recused himself from several board votes on large contracts and other agency business over the last few years.
A perceived conflict of interest was further bolstered when it came to light in 2008 that STV Group, the firm managing the World Trade Center transit hub and other projects at the site, was in talks to buy Sartor’s engineering firm. The transit hub was wracked by delays and a ballooning budget.
While Sartor recused himself from all votes concerning STV contracts they were all approved by a unanimous vote.
News of Sartor’s impending resignation comes just a few weeks after Christie’s board chairman David Samson stepped down from his seat overseeing business at the Port Authority. Samson also recused himself from several board votes over the years – Port Authority members are required to recuse themselves if they feel there might be a conflict of interest.Samson had come under increasing pressure to resign because some of his law firm's clients benefited from business with the Port Authority. his name also popped up in documents surrounding the George Washington Bridge lane closures controversy.
Meanwhile, a third investigation into the bi-state transportation authority has begun. The Manhattan District Attorney in New York sent a broad subpoena to the Port Authority asking for information on a number of large projects and contracts, according to two sources familiar with the request. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is looking into whether any New York state laws were violated while agency business was conducted, the sources said. The Port Authority’s headquarters are in New York.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey is looking into whether any federal laws were violated when members of Christie’s administration ordered shutting down access lanes at the George Washington Bridge in September in an alleged political payback scheme. A New Jersey legislative committee is also investigating that matter.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Vance is seeking correspondence between Christie and members of his administration. The investigation is also reportedly focusing on some of the largest and most costly infrastructure projects in the country including the reconstruction of the Pulaski Skyway, repair work on the Goethals and Bayonne Bridges, the World Trade Center transit hub and other work at the site of the attacks on 9/11.
A spokesman from the District Attorney’s office would not comment for this report. A Port Authority spokesman would not confirm nor deny that the agency had been issued a subpoena. Christie’s office also declined to comment.