A high-profile legal battle is brewing in South Jersey as Christopher Milam, Commissioner and former Vice Chairman of the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) Board, faces a state grand jury indictment on multiple charges — allegations he strongly denies and calls nothing more than “pure political” maneuvering by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.
Milam’s indictment, announced by the Attorney General’s Office, includes six criminal counts: conspiracy (2nd degree), official misconduct (2nd degree), and perjury (3rd degree). Also indicted is Bryan Bush, former SJTA Board Commissioner. Both men are residents of Sewell in Gloucester County.
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The AG’s Allegations
According to the state’s Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA), the indictment stems from an investigation into alleged misconduct while serving on the SJTA Board. While full details of the charges have yet to be publicly laid out in court, prosecutors contend that Milam and Bush engaged in conduct that violated their official duties and state law.
The SJTA — which manages transportation projects and toll roads in the southern part of New Jersey — wields significant influence over regional infrastructure and funding. Because of its reach, the board has long been viewed as a politically sensitive body where ethics and governance are under close scrutiny.
Milam’s Strong Response
From the moment the indictment was made public, Milam responded forcefully, framing the case as a politically motivated attack. In a written statement, he accused AG Platkin of pursuing a vendetta after failing to convict Democratic power broker George Norcross in a separate high-profile corruption case earlier this year.
“From day one this has been a political spectacle,” Milam said. “Matt Platkin is a political hack who couldn’t get his big case to stick, so now he’s coming after smaller targets. I maintain my innocence and look forward to my day in court.”
Milam likened the situation to being under a “legal Sword of Damocles” for the past 14 months, knowing an indictment could come at any time. He said he wasn’t surprised when it finally happened — particularly after a judge dismissed all charges in the Norcross case.
A Political Backdrop
The Norcross case, which collapsed after a Superior Court judge ruled that prosecutors had failed to allege criminal conduct, looms large in the political narrative surrounding Milam’s indictment. Milam insists that neither he nor Bush has any personal ties to Norcross, describing only a handful of brief conversations with the influential South Jersey figure over the years.
“Anybody I talk to sees what’s going on,” Milam told reporters. “Platkin swung and missed on the home run, and now he’s bunting to see if he can get on base.”
The Stakes for Milam and Bush
Both men now face charges that carry serious legal and reputational consequences. If convicted on the most serious counts, they could be looking at significant prison time, heavy fines, and a permanent stain on their public service records.
But Milam is adamant about his chances in court. “If I was unpleasant, fine — call me unpleasant,” he said. “But you’re not proving I broke any laws. This is about politics, not justice.”
The Broader Conversation on Politics and Prosecution
The case also feeds into a larger, ongoing debate in New Jersey and across the country about whether law enforcement offices are being used as tools for political retaliation. While prosecutors argue that no one is above the law, critics point to selective targeting and high-profile failures as evidence of politically charged decision-making.
Milam openly compares his situation to national conversations about the politicization of the justice system, saying his case is “political vengeance, plain and simple.”
What Happens Next
The indictment means the case will now proceed toward trial, with pretrial hearings expected to begin in the coming months. Until then, Milam and Bush remain free but under the weight of serious allegations.
Milam says he is prepared to fight — not just to clear his own name, but to challenge what he sees as a dangerous precedent of politically motivated prosecutions.
“I look forward to holding that office to a higher standard than the current political witch hunts that are happening,” Milam said.
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