Richardson Not Alone in Collecting Money from Embattled Contributor

Open Secrets ^ | January 5, 2009 | Lindsay Renick Mayer

[ruination]

Putting aside whatever involvement New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had in an alleged "pay-to-play" scheme in his home state, his future as U.S. commerce secretary is now a casualty of an ongoing federal investigation into a company that has funded the former presidential candidate's state-level political committees. While no other incoming federal lawmaker or Cabinet member is said to be under investigation, others have certainly seen their campaign efforts propped up by the embattled company. Since 1991, California-based CDR Financial Products and its president, David Rubin, have given $279,100 in campaign contributions at the federal level alone, 95 percent to Democrats. Recipients include interior secretary nominee Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.); Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), incoming chairman of the House Energy & Commerce committee and even President-elect Barack Obama (see below for a full list). Individuals at the firm also gave $26,200 this cycle to the Democratic National Committee through the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee set up to support Obama's candidacy.

Richardson announced his decision to withdraw from consideration as secretary of commerce Sunday, stating that the investigation would hold up the appointment of a position that should be filled immediately. A grand jury in Albuquerque is looking into whether Richardson's office urged the New Mexico Finance Authority to award a contract to CDR Financial soon after the California firm contributed money to two political action committees the governor established. The first, Si Se Puede, was created to raise money for travel and expenses related to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, which Richardson chaired. Si Se Puede reportedly received $75,000 from CDR Financial in 2003 and 2004, just before the firm received the contract from the finance authority.

[ruination]

Notice that Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of all things, was the number one individual recipient.

[rambo316]

....and the story goes.... because they are RATS none of them will be brought to Justice. It is sickening to think that this is going on in America, today.

[jws3sticks]

‘Twas an evening in October, I’ll confess I wasn’t sober,
I was carting home a load with manly pride,
When my feet began to stutter and I fell into the gutter,
And a pig came up and lay down by my side.
Then I lay there in the gutter and my heart was all a-flutter,
Till a lady, passing by, did chance to say:
“You can tell a man that boozes by the company he chooses,”
Then the pig got up and slowly walked away.

[HighlyOpinionated]

Notice that Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of all things, was the number one individual recipient.

Another definition of Oversite . . . to "over look" when the money is coming in for you?