CRIME

Christie mentor set for sentencing in United bribery case

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE – In this July 14, 2016, file photo, David Samson, left, former chairman of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and one of his attorneys, Justin Walder, right, leave federal court after Samson pleaded guilty to bribery during a hearing in Newark, N.J. Samson, who resigned in March 2014, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, March 6, 2017, for using his post to get United Airlines to run money-losing direct flights between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., saving him an hour's driving time to his weekend home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE – In this Nov. 14, 2013, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, center, walks with David Samson, left, chairman of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, after publicizing plans for new daily nonstop United Airlines flights to Atlantic City International Airport which began April 1, 2014, but were ended in December 2014, during a news conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J. Samson, who resigned in March 2014, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, March 6, 2017, after he pleaded guilty July 14, 2016, to bribery for using his post to get United Airlines to run money-losing direct flights between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., saving him an hour's driving time to his weekend home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE – In this March 19, 2014, file photo, David Samson, chairman of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, walks out after excusing himself from a monthly meeting of the agency's board of commissioners, attended by protesters calling for Samson to resign, in Jersey City, N.J. Samson, who resigned later that month, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, March 6, 2017, after he pleaded guilty July 14, 2016, to bribery for using his post to get United Airlines to run money-losing direct flights between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., saving him an hour's driving time to his weekend home. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) (The Associated Press)

A former New Jersey attorney general and mentor to Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie faces sentencing in federal court.

David Samson pleaded guilty last summer to bribery 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 South Carolina.

Samson wanted the flight so he could have easier access to a weekend home.

On Monday, he faces up to two years in prison. His attorneys have asked for probation, saying his actions were an aberration in a long and distinguished career.

Samson headed Christie's transition team and was rewarded with the Port Authority chairmanship in 2011.