U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) wants U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to release his public and private schedules over the last two years "so that the public can make its own judgment regarding possible political activity by the U.S. Attorney."  Christie is considered a likely candidate for the 2009 Republican nomination for Governor.

Pallone says that he has heard "troubling reports" that Christie and some supporters have been holding campaign-related meetings.  He wants U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey to clarify the role of federal prosecutors in politics.  Earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan resigned amidst speculation that he will seek the 2010 GOP nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania.  

"Over the last few months, and perhaps longer than that, Mr. Christie and/or his political lieutenants have traveled around the state promoting his potential candidacy for Governor in 2009. I find it wholly inappropriate that a sitting U.S. Attorney be allowed to so publicly use his office as a stepping stone for political gain," Pallone wrote in a letter to the Attorney General. "Outreach to the community and publicizing his successful efforts at combating corruption are laudable endeavors and important to the work of the Department of Justice. However, the clear pattern of pre-campaign actions of Mr. Christie, and his very public allies and surrogates, appear to cross the line into self promotion and abuse of the immense authority he wields as the state’s chief federal law enforcement officer."

Pallone says that U.S. Department of Justice guidelines that prohibit federal prosecutors from engaging in partisan political activity, noting that U.S. Attorneys' Manual states that certain members of the Department's senior leadership, including political appointees such as the U.S. Attorney, are prohibited from "participating actively in political management or political campaigns."

"There are simple and clear actions that Mr. Christie can take to add transparency to this situation.  Mr. Christie should release his public and private schedules for the last two years- of course with any truly sensitive material redacted- so that the public can make its own judgment regarding possible political activity," said Pallone.  "To further clear the air on his behavior, I call on Mr. Christie to sign an affidavit stating that neither he, his staff, his relatives nor anyone else associated with him has discussed or engaged in activities that would violate the Manual or any other relevant ethics codes and laws."