Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft talks at a news conference in Newark with Gov. Chris Christie in this file photo. TRENTON — Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft donated $2,500 to the Republican State Committee last month, according to campaign finance records released this morning.
The Ashcroft donation is dated three days after Gov. Chris Christie held a fundraiser in Ashcroft's native Missouri while on a three-state tour.
Christie, as U.S. Attorney, worked under Ashcroft for three years until Ashcroft stepped down in 2005. Their relationship stirred controversy in 2007, after Christie awarded Ashcroft's law firm a multi-million dollar contract to monitor a medical implant company accused of giving kickbacks.
“The governor and Mr. Ashcroft have a long professional relationship going back to their years at the Justice Department,” said state GOP spokesman Rick Gorka.
The CEO of Ashcroft’s law firm, David Ayres, also donated $2,500.
Another notable donation to the Republican State Committee: August Busch III, the former head of Anheuser-Busch who is also from Missouri, gave $25,000.
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