Republican power player Bill Palatucci, who resigned this week from Community Education Centers where he was senior vice president and general counsel, is headed to Gibbons P.C.

Palatucci, who is a longtime friend and confidante of Gov. Chris Christie, will assume the role of special counsel at the powerhouse law firm.

Late last week, Palatucci announced to friends he was leaving CEC, the private operator of secure halfway houses where he had worked since 2005.  Republicans speculated that the Republican National committeeman was freeing up his time for Christie's re-election bid, which will likely begin early next year.

Palatucci served as co-chairman of Christie's inaugural committee and worked with Christie when both were at Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci, P.C.

CEC has had a host of missteps of late, most recently during the recent hurricane when 15 inmates escaped from a secure facility in Newark. Earlier this year, the New York Times ran a series of stories detailing escapes from the company's facilities.