Ex-Governor Is Said to Be Focal Point of Inquiry

[Jroc]

PHOENIX — Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2008, is being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible violations of campaign finance laws, according to people with knowledge of the inquiry.

.Defense lawyers and others briefed on the investigation said one of the accusations is that Mr. Richardson raised $250,000 from supporters to quiet a woman who had threatened to file a sexual harassment suit against him.

Kenneth J. Gonzales, the United States attorney for New Mexico, said in a statement that he could “neither confirm nor deny the existence of any grand jury investigation into alleged criminal conduct” by Mr. Richardson.

But others close to the case said that several people with links to Mr. Richardson had testified before a grand jury in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

The Albuquerque Journal first reported on the existence of the investigation on Nov. 16, and The Wall Street Journal followed up Thursday with more details about money paid to a woman who had said she had an affair with the governor.

In interviews on Thursday, people with knowledge of the investigation said that a sexual harassment claim might be at the root of the inquiry.

Whether such a surreptitious payment would violate the law is hotly debated by campaign finance experts, because unreported private gifts are allowed, whereas political contributions must be documented.

Some experts likened the investigation of Mr. Richardson to that of John Edwards, another candidate in the 2008 Democratic race.

In June, a federal grand jury indicted Mr. Edwards on charges of violating federal campaign finance laws by “secretly obtaining and using” contributions from wealthy benefactors to conceal his mistress and their baby while he was running for president.

Mr. Edwards has pleaded not guilty.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/u...n-is-said-to-be-under-investigation.html?_r=1

 

[BluePhantom]

PHOENIX — Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2008, is being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible violations of campaign finance laws, according to people with knowledge of the inquiry.

.Defense lawyers and others briefed on the investigation said one of the accusations is that Mr. Richardson raised $250,000 from supporters to quiet a woman who had threatened to file a sexual harassment suit against him.

Can we just accept that everyone is fucking everyone and stop with the sexual scandals on both sides? PLEASE?

 

[xotoxi]

Did this happen before or after he was on Saturday Night Live?

 

[Jroc]

Just notice the differance when a lib is involved. We hardley hear anything, i mean John Edwards had a love Child and we heard nothing while he was running for president. The lib media is a joke

 

[bigrebnc1775]

PHOENIX — Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2008, is being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible violations of campaign finance laws, according to people with knowledge of the inquiry.

.Defense lawyers and others briefed on the investigation said one of the accusations is that Mr. Richardson raised $250,000 from supporters to quiet a woman who had threatened to file a sexual harassment suit against him.

Can we just accept that everyone is fucking everyone and stop with the sexual scandals on both sides? PLEASE?

Two consenting adults doing what comes natural. what could be better than that?

 

[Jroc]

PHOENIX — Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2008, is being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible violations of campaign finance laws, according to people with knowledge of the inquiry.

.Defense lawyers and others briefed on the investigation said one of the accusations is that Mr. Richardson raised $250,000 from supporters to quiet a woman who had threatened to file a sexual harassment suit against him.

Can we just accept that everyone is fucking everyone and stop with the sexual scandals on both sides? PLEASE?

Two consenting adults doing what comes natural. what could be better than that?

A $250,000 payoff