David Hoffman (Hoffman for Senate)

A former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago is asking prosecutors to open their (not very fat) wallets for his U.S. Senate campaign.

In a fundraising event flier, David H. Hoffman, who worked in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago from 1998 to 2005, suggests that current Assistant U.S. Attorneys donate a “minimum” of $150, while friends, guests, co-hosts and sponsors are asked to donate more.

Hoffman, who was most recently the inspector general for the City of Chicago, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.).

The flier wasn’t sent to current assistant U.S. attorneys, although it was sent to the homes of 352 former prosecutors, campaign spokesman Thom Karmik said, according to The Chicago Tribune’s Clout Street blog. The prosecutors have a lower “suggested minimum” donation,  Karmik said, because “They make less than attorneys in private practice.”

According to Randall Samborn, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Assistant U.S. Attorneys can make campaign contributions; attend political fundraisers and rallies; and campaign for or against candidates without violating civil service rules and the Hatch Act, The Tribune reported. However, AUSAs are not allowed to participate in politics on government time or solicit or raise campaign donations.

Along with the donation request, Hoffman distributed an open letter from Scott Lassar, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who is co-hosting the Nov. 3 event along with former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Berkowitz, John Gallo and Lori Lightfoot.

“One of the best decisions I made at the U.S. Attorneys Office was hiring David Hoffman. David was a brilliant AUSA who chose to devote himself to gang and gun cases because it made a difference in some of our neediest communities. He initiated successful innovations in the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, including addressing groups of people being released on probation.

David next transformed the City of Chicago’s Office of Inspector General into a model of integrity and competence.

Now David is running in the Democratic primary for United States Senate. As many of you know, David would be a terrific Senator. He is bright, pragmatic, hard working, and eloquent. Those of you who don’t know him will soon find out.”

Burris was appointed in December by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D)  to the seat previously held by Barack Obama, sparking a political uproar. Fitzgerald — who is also Hoffman’s former boss — was investigating Blagojevich in a pay-t0-play corruption probe and had accused the governor of  being on “political crime spree.” The Senate at first refused to seat Burris, but later relented. Burris has said he won’t seek election next year.

Other candidates for the Feb. 2 Democratic primary are state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, businessman Stan Jagla, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Robinson Jackson, write-in candidate Robert Jones, frequent candidate Robert Marshall and attorney Jacob Meister.

Gov. Jon Corzine

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) on Wednesday continued his attack on challenger Chris Christie (R) for his contact with Karl Rove while he was mulling a run for New Jersey governor. During an appearance in Newark, Corzine said, “I’m under the impression that U.S. attorneys are supposed to be free of politics,’’ adding, “If politics comes into play, then the whole basis of justice is called into question. Are the actions taken dependent on the fair administration of justice, or were there political issues? People have to have faith that the judgments that are taken by our courts, by our prosecutorial system, are such that everyone is treated equally under the law.’’ Read the newjerseynewsroom.com article here.

Corzine also released the following ad:

Christie’s campaign responded that the gubernatorial candidate did not act improperly in talking with Rove four years ago, The Associated Press reports. Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said, “It is not surprising that as the Bush Administration was winding down, Mr. Rove inquired about Chris’ future plans,” adding, “In this informal conversation, Chris discussed with Mr. Rove the fact he was being urged to run for elected office and Mr. Rove in turn offered to recommend people who could help Chris reach a decision if he eventually seriously considered running for office.”

Chris Christie

The campaign also released a statement Corzine made during a 2005 gubernatorial debate in which he said, “There have been as many Republicans as there are Democrats that have been brought to justice by Chris Christie and I think that he doing a great job.’’

The Associated Press reports that under the Hatch Act federal employees are barred from organizing political meetings or assembling campaign staff. According to Erica Hamrick, deputy chief of the Hatch Act Unit in the Office of Special Counsel, the guidelines also apply to preliminary political activities that start up a candidacy. She said, “Any kind of preliminary activity that leads to formally becoming a candidate can be considered candidacy in terms of the Hatch Act and would be in violation.”

We spoke with Hamrick who said that she was speaking in general terms and not specifically about the Christie-Rove matter. She added that she “cannot confirm or deny” whether her office is investigating Christie and Rove’s exchanges.

The Newark Star-Ledger reported on how the governor’s race has gotten ugly recently filled with legal probes and scandals.