Posted on 12/16/2008 12:52:50 PM PST by CedarDave
A federal grand jury will convene in Albuquerque Tuesday to look a possible "pay-to-play" relationship between Gov. Bill Richardson's administration and a California financial firm hired to advise state government, according to separate reports.
The company, CDR Financial Products, was paid almost $1.5 million to advise the state on complicated bond transactions and to manage an escrow account. The firm also donated nearly $100,000 to Richardson political action committees.
News 13 has learned that the FBI and federal prosecutors have been investigating CDR's activities in New Mexico since last summer.
The thrust of the investigation is whether the company paid to play linking the political contributions to awarding of the state contracts.
Two national news outlets, the Washington Post and Bloomberg Financial News, both reported Monday on the investigation. The Albuquerque Journal reported two months ago that CDR's owner contributed $85,000 to Richardson organizations.
One contribution reportedly was made just after CDR got the first deal.
The other donation was made four days before it got the second job.
Bill Richardson now being investigated for Pay to Play by a Federal Grand Jury
Whoops! This is an excerpt. More of the story at the link:
I am shocked, shocked I tell ya, at the level of corruption in politics today, both sides of the aisle.
Naa, never mind. It now makes sense why they spend millions to get a senate seat.
....Bob
Does Zero know anyone who plays by the rules....
I’m glad to see Richardson getting the bend-over-and- spread-em treatment, he’s always seemed like a two-faced character to me.
Sounds painful.
Isn’t just zero.
Explain why somebody would spend $millions to get a job paying $150K a year. Oh yes, I forgot patriotism ./sarc
....Bob
I wouldn’t worry about him. He’s a Democrat and a minority. A slap on the wrist is the worst that will happen, then off to join the Obama administration he goes.
Santa is being good to us this year!
As Richardson is a lib democrat, the timing of these “donations” was clearly just a coincidence. I’m certain the Grand Jury will agree. Or else.
Near as I can tell, two main reasons. 1) To cash in later on on all the contacts you have made while in gubmint, as in moving over to K Street (Puff Dashle), and, 2) to assist in the control of the unwashed masses, ala Jon Corzine.
From the viewpoint of many New Mexican's, it's good he is being "railroaded" out of the state. Unfortunately, he's left us with a lot of debts to be payed, including for his new railroad.
So we know this happens all the time...the question is...when is it illegal, and whenis it not illegal?
When it’s a democrat, it’s not illegal. Simple.
That was to be my answer, too!
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