Free Republic

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former high-ranking members of his administration won't be criminally charged in a yearlong federal investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving one of the Democratic governor's large political donors, someone familiar with the case said.

Blagojevich fundraiser linked to Richardson Lobbyist was employed by CDR, gave to governor's campaigns By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican 4/24/2009 Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's chief fundraiser worked for the California investment company that's at the center of the grand jury investigation that sidetracked New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's political career, Bloomberg.com reported Friday. That fundraiser, Springfield, Ill., lobbyist Milan Petrovic, also contributed about $20,000 to Richardson political campaigns, according to campaign finance records. The New York-based financial publication said Petrovic clients and other associates also contributed more than $50,000 to Richardson's campaign for re-election as governor. Petrovic's...

It was a recipe for a typical New Mexico political stew: Start with two lucrative contracts worth $1.4 million, stir in at least $100,000 in political contributions, add a dash of questionable bid procedures and top it off with a heaping tablespoon of suspicious timing. This is the concoction that boiled over into the federal investigation that has derailed, at least for now, Gov. Bill Richardson's ambitions for a seat in President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet. ~~snip~~The big picture is fairly simple. CDR Financial Products LLC of Beverly Hills was paid $1.4 million from work it did on behalf of the...

In its opening half-hour, Good Morning America told us--twice--that Pres.-elect Obama choked up with emotion as he was packing up his old house. But somehow ABC couldn't find time to mention that a possible pay-to-play scheme was behind Bill Richardson's bye-bye as Commerce Secretary nominee. After the show-opening roll in which the president elect was shown heading to DC, Robin Roberts literally bounced in her co-anchor's chair: "so excited, so excited, so excited . . . It's a new day, new year, new everything going on." Added Diane Sawyer helpfully: "And a president-elect." "Yes," concurred Robin, as if it wasn't...

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President-elect Barack Obama, starting his new life in Washington, faced Sunday the first major embarrassment over his cabinet lineup as his choice for commerce secretary was forced to pull out. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said he was withdrawing his name from contention for the economic job owing to an investigation into a financial company doing business with his state. Richardson's withdrawal came as Obama left Chicago to join his family in Washington and begin the final countdown before his inauguration as president on January 20. After winning plaudits for a smooth transition process thus far, Obama...