Madrid Rejects Inquiry Request (NM AG refuses to investigate Richardson)

Attorney General Patricia Madrid said Friday that a request by a Republican legislator for an investigation into Gov. Bill Richardson's hiring practices is "neither appropriate or warranted."

Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque, and other legislators signing onto the letter, "have neither allegations or presented any evidence that a public servant has received pay for services not rendered," Madrid said in a news release.

The legislators earlier this year asked Madrid for an inquiry after news reports about Richardson's hiring of dozens of so-called "gov-ex temp" employees.

Those employees are in jobs created and filled outside of the state's normal hiring process by the Democratic governor's administration, and many have annual salaries topping $50,000, $60,000, $70,000 or more.

Republicans charged that the jobs are clearly political appointments and violate the law because the intention behind the jobs doesn't involve productive work.

Richardson countered that the workers were hired to fill immediate needs identified by his administration and that all of them are productive.

Here is the story behind this. Earlier this year ABQ TV station KRQE (Larry Barker Report: Gov creates over 60 new jobs for friends, allies and Larry Barker Report: Friends in high places, Part II) did an exposé on Richardson's hiring practices. It is common for Governors to fill unclassified state positions with political appointees (department heads, division directors, etc.). In this case there were many more appointees than positions so Richardson created a bunch and put his cronies in them. They are called "Gifts from the North", referring to the state capital in northern NM. One of the most egregious examples was an appointee who was given a position equal to a state employee who had faithfully performed her duties for 40 years. He complained about the low salary and his pay was almost doubled. Meanwhile, the honorable employee was not so rewarded.

Madrid, who came off as a dunce in campaign appearances, narrowly lost to incumbent Republican Heather Wilson in Congressional District 1.

Excellent catch!! Richardson did exactly the same thing (created special government positions) when he hired Monica to get her out of Clinton's office. Wonder if she brought the kneepads?

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