Jamie Fox, the New Jersey politician and political strategist who was facing federal charges in connection with a investigation into the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has died. He was 62.
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, with a degree from Villanova University, Fox had a long resume in state and national politics.
A partner of the Fox & Shuffler, Fox was twice a former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, for the administrations of Gov. Chris Christie and former Gov. James McGreevey. He was chairman of the board of NJ Transit and a director of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund since 2009.
"Jamie Fox was one of the most outstanding public servants I have had the honor to know," Christie tweeted on Monday. "Regardless of party politics, he stepped forward time and again in service to our State."
Fox served as chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, during his tenures as a U.S. representative and U.S. senator, as well as for former New Jersey Gov. James Florio.
Fox became deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, after McGreevey resigned in 2004.
He also worked as an adviser on the 2008 Obama/Biden campaign in Florida. When the campaign ended he returned to Fox and Shuffler and was a lobbyist for United Airlines.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey charged Fox with conspiracy to commit bribery for allegedly influencing the arrangement of a special United Airlines flight between the airports of Newark and Columbia, S.C., near the vacation home of former Port Authority chairman David Samson.