Have mercy on Carton: stars’ plea

Ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, actor and radio talker Joe Piscopo and former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason all asked a judge for mercy on former WFAN sports-talk host Craig Carton, who faces sentencing for a $4 million scam.

The big names, who all met Carton (photo) through his work as the acerbic co-host of the popular “Boomer and Carton” radio show, cited his many charitable works and struggles with gambling addiction, Tourette syndrome, and other adversity.

“Honestly, I remain at a loss trying to figure out when and where it all went wrong,” wrote Esiason, who remains on WFAN. “As I read the accounts of the trial, I was saddened to hear of the gambling debt he accrued and the pressure that he was under. Knowing Craig as well as I did, it doesn’t shock me that he never asked for help. He’s too proud for that.”

Esiason wrote he had yet to “truly forgive” Carton for his arrest.

Christie, who has appeared on WFAN, cited his background as U.S. attorney of New Jersey to argue that Carton did not deserve a significant prison sentence.

“I do not believe Craig is a danger to society. I do not believe he is at all likely to be a recidivist. I think Craig found himself in this position because of other challenges ... which I believe Craig is taking steps to deal with personally,” he wrote.

Piscopo, host of his own show on AM 970, credited Carton for helping him get his start on the airwaves.

“I myself have attended Craig’s own charity events and saw firsthand his commitment to helping others. Including his ol [sic] pal here, when I started my radio journey,” Piscopo wrote.

Carton was convicted in November of duping investors in a plan to sell concert tickets on the secondary market. Carton spent the investors’ money on personal expenses, including gambling debts.