Hatch, a Republican from Utah, gave $10,000 to California GOP Rep. John Doolittle in early September, according to a disclosure form released this week.

Hatch and Doolittle are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They attend the same congregation, or ward, in northern Virginia and have become close.

"He is very loyal to his friends and John Doolittle is his friend," said Dave Hansen, Hatch's campaign manager.

A grand jury investigation is focusing on the relationship between the Doolittles and Abramoff, who pled guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials.

Doolittle's wife worked for Abramoff and Doolittle has helped Abramoff's clients. The grand jury subpoenaed Doolittle and investigators have raided his home, but he has not been charged with a crime.

The embattled representative created a legal defense fund in late June. Hatch's donations, split between his campaign account and a political action committee, make up nearly one-third of the total.

Three other politicians, all members of the House, donated to Doolittle's defense, a move many in Congress would shy away from.

"I think any high-ranking public official needs to consider the implications of their interactions and associations," said Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. "But the worst-case scenarios are not as bad for [Hatch] when he says, 'Hey, I'm going to give my colleague the benefit of the doubt.' "

Hatch has about $2 million in his campaign and PAC accounts. He has five years until his next re-election campaign. And he is a six-term senator from one of the most Republican states in the nation. "His equation would be different than say Gordon Smith's right now," Jowers said.

Smith is a Republican senator from Oregon who is up for re-election next year. He is also a Mormon.

Hatch has spread his campaign wealth to Smith and every other incumbent Republican senator who will be on the ballot in 2008.

That includes Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who is under federal investigation for his ties to an Alaska oil contractor. No member of Congress has given Stevens more than Hatch, who has donated a total of $14,000.

The federal investigation into Stevens was never an issue when Hatch was deciding who to give donations to, Hansen said. "They have served together for many years," he said. "The senator wanted to show his support for him."

In all, Hatch has donated more than $170,000 to other politicians this year and $100,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, also funnels money to his colleagues through his Snow PAC. He has given money to most of the Republican incumbents in the Senate. Though he has not donated to Stevens.

Jowers said politicians share the wealth for the same reason special interests donate to candidates.

"Money is power," he said. "Senators, too, will support their colleagues to have enhanced access and influence."

mcanham@sltrib.com