In this Dec. 29, 2015, photo, Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at Elly's Tea and Coffee House in Muscatine, Iowa. Christie’s comments on the GOP campaign trail regarding his prosecutions of terrorists while he was New Jersey’s U.S. attorney have focused renewed scrutiny on two highly publicized cases. Both resulted in convictions and long prison sentences but also raised questions about the government’s methods. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (The Associated Press)
NEWARK, N.J. – Gov. Chris Christie's comments on the GOP campaign trail regarding his prosecutions of extremists while he was New Jersey's U.S. attorney have focused renewed scrutiny on two highly publicized cases.
Both resulted in convictions and long prison sentences but also raised questions about the government's methods.
London merchant Hemant Lakhani (HEH'-muhnt luh-KAH'-nee) was convicted in 2005 of trying to broker a deal for shoulder-fired missiles he thought were going to be used to shoot down airplanes.
Five foreign-born Muslim men living in southern New Jersey were convicted in 2008 of plotting to attack the Fort Dix military base.
In both cases, defense attorneys argued that the defendants wouldn't have done anything if not for government informants who spent months pushing them into action.
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