Updated

The former chairman of the agency that controls New York City-area bridges, tunnels and airports has arrived at a New Jersey courthouse ahead of a planned court appearance and a news conference by federal investigators.

It's unclear what David Samson will do when he appears in a Newark courtroom Thursday.

The U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey has been investigating whether Samson wrongfully used his Port Authority of New York and New Jersey post to get United Airlines to provide direct air service to South Carolina to make it easier to get to his vacation home.

United's CEO resigned after an investigation into that service.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, the FBI and the Port Authority's inspector general plan a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Samson is considered a mentor to Republican Gov. Chris Christie.