The Christie administration's biggest political problem is public perception, and refusing to comply is only going to make people suspicious. But if their biggest worry is keeping their butts out of jail, then yeah, this strategy makes sense:

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — A legal showdown is looming in the joint legislative investigation into the closing of the George Washington Bridge access lanes in September.

Bill Stepien, a key figure in the shutdown scandal and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former campaign manager, is refusing to budge in the face of a subpoena from the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation.

Stepien's attorney, Kevin Marino, sent a letter Tuesday to Reid Schar, the Chicago attorney hired by the committee, maintaining Stepien's earlier position. Stepien and Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's former deputy chief of staff, have cited constitutional protections against self-incrimination and unreasonable search and seizure in refusing to turn over records.

"I can think of no lawful way the committee can obtain documents responsive to its subpoena from Mr. Stepien," Marino wrote. "Stated simply, his principled objections to the subpoena raise significant legal issues that are no less valid because they here arise in the context of a politically-charged investigation."

Tuesday was the deadline that both Kelly and Schar were given to respond.

Sen. Loretta Weinberg, the committee co-chair, said the committee probably will take the matter to court.