Robert Torricelli Trenton small business.JPG

Former U.S. Senator from N.J. Robert Torricelli speaks at the 17th Annual Trenton Small Business Week Kickoff Breakfast held at the Trenton Marriott, in this 2010 file photo. (Martin Griff | The Times)

(Martin Griff/The Times)

TRENTON -- Former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli said if Hillary Clinton is elected president, he "might ask to do something" in her administration, and he described his interest in running for public office as "so-so."

The New Jersey Democrat, who abandoned his reelection campaign in 2002 following an ethics investigation, shared these and other thoughts on New Jersey politics at an editorial board meeting with the Asbury Park Press on Wednesday.

Torricelli, a real estate developer for about a dozen years, told Star-Ledger columnist Tom Moran in June that he pined for a return to public life after about a dozen years in the real estate world.

"There's unfinished business in my life. I've always been a person whose life is about public service and public policy, and I do still think about it as part of my future," he said.

Nearly a year later, the man nicknamed "The Torch" appears to be testing the waters. According to Politico NJ, he recently attended the Morris County Democratic convention and reported to the Federal Election Commission he paid $12,300 for "research services" to the New Hampshire-based WayForward Research last year.

Torricelli said on Thursday the research was for other candidates and issues and not for himself. He said he intends to "remain politically active" by supporting causes that are meaningful to him, such as the state's economic development.

Torricelli said he would be interested in running for the U.S. Senate again if there was ever an opportunity.

New Jersey's senior U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was indicted a year ago for allegedly intervening on behalf of a wealthy friend and campaign donor in exchange for luxurious gifts and vacations.

"I have to, for my own protection, preface that there is no Senate seat available. I think Bob Menendez is going to get a fair trial and have a fair chance at getting cleared," Torricelli told the Asbury Park Press.

"If Hillary (Clinton) gets elected, I might ask to do something, but only if it was something special, something interesting," Torricelli added.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Ethics "severely admonished" Torricelli in 2002 for accepting gifts from businessman David Chang while advocating on Chang's behalf. Torricelli has vehemently denied he broke any laws.

Federal prosecutors filed no charges against Torricelli, and the Justice Department took the unusual step of writing a letter stating he had not violated the law. Chang was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for making illegal donations. He died of liver cancer in 2012.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.