Defense wants Christie lawyers to take stand

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Defendants in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case want to put lawyers for New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie's office on the witness stand after their subpoena for more documents was denied.

Attorneys for Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher say in court filings they will seek to block attempts to call them as witnesses at the trial next month of two former Christie loyalists.

Gibson Dunn has billed the state more than $10 million for its 2014 report that found Christie blameless and for representing Christie's office in the subsequent federal investigation.

Former Christie aide Bridget Kelly and former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive Bill Baroni are charged with closing access lanes to create traffic jams in 2013 to punish a mayor for not endorsing Christie.