Grand Jury Investigation into Richardson Donor Heats Up

[JudyInTheHeartland]

Source: Washington Post

Grand Jury Investigation into Richardson Donor Heats Up

By Carol D. Leonnig
A federal grand jury is investigating how an investment company won more than $1.5 million in work advising the state of New Mexico after making contributions to the political action committees of Gov. Bill Richardson, President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be commerce secretary.

The "pay-to-play" investigation is looking at whether the governor's office played a role in the the hiring of CDR Financial Products -- and the probe is in a highly active stage, two sources familiar with the matter said. Tomorrow in Albuquerque, the grand jury is expected to hear testimony from several witnesses, including officials at J.P. Morgan, who worked with the state and CDR on the state's investments, and from Richard's political action committee, the sources said.

The FBI and federal prosecutors are focused on how the Beverly Hills-based CDR won lucrative fees from the New Mexico Finance Authority in 2004 very soon after donating $100,000 to Richardson's efforts to register Hispanic and American Indian voters and pay for expenses at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, according to the sources. FBI agents have already asked numerous witnesses whether the governor's aides were involved in CDR's hiring.

Richardson's spokesman and the U.S. Attorney's office in New Mexico declined to comment on the probe, which began earlier this summer. So far, several board members at the N.M. Finance Authority have publicly confirmed being interviewed about CDR's hiring.

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/12/15/grand_jury_investigation_into.html?hpid=topnews

[DJ13]

1. Where were all these investigations for the last 8 years?

It seems to me that looking deep into potential crimes only applies when Democrats gain power.

[xxqqqzme]

2. hell yes, there are far greater 'crimes' that

been committed in the last 8 years, that scream for investigation. But then that would have rethugs whining about 'politically motivated' witch hunts. We cannot have that! We're going to cooperate w/ them now!

[Phred42]

3. The REICH will do everything they can now to 'prove' that Dems

are as dirty as they are. Even if they have to make it up

[MasonJar]

4. The Bushista attorney generals are still out there in most states...but not for long.

[No Elephants]

5. Halliburton, Bechtel, etc. contracts to "rebuild" Iraq over and over?