Christie stands by pal Carton

Craig Carton has lost his job, but not his most powerful friend.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he has talked to the former WFAN host on a couple of occasions and will remain friends with him no matter what happens in the $5.6 million federal fraud case against Carton.

“I certainly don’t believe, I don’t want to believe that Craig’s a criminal, but I’ve also been a prosecutor,” Christie told nj.com.

“So, I’m anxious to hear all the facts come out, but it won’t change our friendship. He’s a friend and I feel bad for him, I feel bad for his wife and I feel bad for his children. Because, in today’s world, there’s no avoiding it. There’s no shielding the children from it. They all have smart phones, so they’re all going to see this stuff about their dad and I know that’s really hard for them.

“So, he’s my friend, he re- mains my friend and I hope it works out for him because it would be an awful thing not only for him but for his wife and kids.”

Christie’s friendship with Carton played out over the WFAN airwaves with the politician filling in repeatedly for morning co-host Boomer Esiason. Christie tried out for Mike Francesa’s impending opening, but did not get the gig. That spot may no longer be vacant as Francesa is reconsidering his departure given Carton’s legal trouble.

Carton was suspended and then resigned from WFAN last week after he was arrested for his alleged role in a concert ticket Ponzi scheme.

“He’s my friend, I feel bad for him. I don’t know where it’s going to land because I don’t know all the facts, obviously,” Christie told the website. “My relationship with Craig has always been personal, and so I, as I would feel for any friend in that situation, I feel bad.”