Ruthless Ambition: The Rise and Fall of Chris Christie

by Louis Michael Manzo

Overview

How could a man like Chris Christie get within shouting distance of a seat in the Oval Office? What does this say about our Justice system, and about us? If you think you know the whole story of Christie's rise and later fall from grace-think again.

In his searing tell-all, Ruthless Ambition: The Rise and Fall of Chris Christie, former New Jersey State Assemblyman Louis Manzo recounts an extraordinary tale of political ruthlessness, corruption, and greed while also telling the story of how he was caught in the center of one of the most egregious political scandals in modern-day history: the Bid Rig III sting operation, masterminded by the then United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and soon-to-be Governor Chris Christie. Manzo shows us how the blind ambitions of Christie and his staff centered on capturing a governorship and the patronage jobs that accompany it, then parlaying that office into a shot at the presidency.

Meticulous in backing up everything he says with objective legal documentation, Manzo makes a convincing and disconcerting case for the governor as an unbridled and sinister political figure who made the most of a seriously flawed Department of Justice and overall judicial system to feed his megalomania and desire for power. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in justice and ethical leadership. It can't happen here? Well, it almost did. Soon you will know why. Philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Substitute "understand history" and you can appreciate how Manzo's courageous true tale is poised to help all of us better understand the seemingly incomprehensible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781937584894
Publisher:	Trine Day
Publication date:	06/01/2014
Pages:	396
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Louis Michael Manzo is a former state assemblyman and the author of God’s Earth Also Cries. He lives in Belmar, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Beginning of the End 1

1 Born to Run: With Help from Bush and Rove 19

2 Persecuting a U.S. Senator and Other Democrats 25

3 Helping John Ashcroft and Company 33

4 From U.S. Attorney to Almost Governor 45

5 The Infamous Solomon Dwek 49

6 Two Trails Converge in Bid Rig III 77

7 Anatomy of a DOJ Sting 89

8 A Justice Department Cover-Up, Sanctioned by the FBI 109

9 Bid Rig Ill's 'Backroom Boss with a Badge' 121

10 Painting Conflicts of Interest as 'An Honest Mistake' 135

11 Broken Promises and a Glimpse of a Christie Presidency 151

12 The Art of Placing the Blame Elsewhere 165

13 The Magical Mystery Tour 185

14 Nancy Reagan Launches Christie onto the National Stage 197

15 Snubbing Romney and Embracing Obama 205

16 Eyes on the White House 227

17 The Re-election 241

Afterword: The Tragedy of Politics as Usual 269

Chapter Notes 273

Bibliography 291

Index 309

About the Author 317

Acknowledgments 325

Editorial Reviews

"Read Ruthless Ambition. If so you may decide we need a different model for a fighting prosecutor – with candidates drawn from the ranks of those fighting for justice, not jailings." —Andrew Kreig, project editor and co-founder, Justice Integrity Project

"[H]is book on Christie may well be his best read, since it comes right in the middle of Bridgegate and other questions. Manzo’s book offers support to people such as Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who have also raised concerns about the Christie administration [...] The book shows a step by step process in which Christie allegedly steered the system of justice to his own ends.” —Al Sullivan, reporter, Hudson Reporter


"If you want to understand hardball politics, or if you live in New Jersey, you'll want to read this." —Susie Madrak, crooksandliars.com

From the Publisher