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Dem Gov Assoc Mum On Possible Subpoena In Richardson-Linked Probe
The Democratic Governors Association is refusing to say whether it has been subpoenaed in connection to the federal probe of pay-to-play allegations in New Mexico which derailed Bill Richardson's bid to be Commerce Secretary.
Asked whether the DGA had received a subpoena, spokesman Brian Namey responded in an email:
The DGA fully cooperates with any state or federal agency that makes legitimate requests for information. The DGA does not make statements concerning any particular investigation.
Four investment firms contributed to the DGA in 2004, around the same time those firms won lucrative contracts to manage the state's bonds, according to a report in the Albuquerque Journal today. Richardson at the time served as vice chair of the DGA, and would become chair the following year.
Last month, Bloomberg reported that investigators had subpoenaed Richardson's office for its correspondence with the DGA, in connection with the probe*.
The DGA, which has served as a key stepping-stone to national prominence for some Democrats, is currently chaired by Montana governor Brian Schweitzer. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Richardson's office has largely declined to comment on the investigation. According to reports, a former aide to Richardson, as well as a Richardson political adviser, have received subpoenas in connection with the probe.
* This sentence has been edited from an earlier version.
Josh
Zachary
We haven't seen much evidence yet. So far there are a lot of conjectures by a US Attorney chosen by the Bush team as part of what is almost surely a partisan misuse of the Department of Justice. This is what Rove was supposed to be testifying about yesterday, and last year. So, some waiting and seeing is in order. I am particularly interested in what will happen when the new US Attorneys are appointed to places like New Mexico, Alabama, Pennsylvania, San Diego, and Wisconsin.
February 3, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
This whole thing is beginning to look like a 'witchhunt' by Republican U. S. attorneys. I heard Howard Fineman, several months ago, say that the Bush Justice Department was ordered to 'look into' every Democratic Governor, nationwide. Now we have investigations into 'Pay to Play' political maneuvers into the administrations of: Governor Eliot Spitzer (I know his downfall was not 'pay to play', but why was he being 'watched'?), Governor Richardson, Governor Rendell, Governor Siegleman, and everyone's favorite governor-to-hate, Rod Blagojevich. This is starting to smell like a rat.
Why was Blagojevich arrested when Patrick Fitzgerald did not have his case wrapped up? I know he said he had to act swiftly to prevent Blagojevich from 'selling' the Senate seat of Barack Obama. But...a 90 day extension was necessary? And, when you examine this whole 'Pay to Play' political charge, then it is a very fine line between political favors (which is an entrenched part of politics, everywhere. For example, look at huge donors being given ambassadorships after Presidential elections.) and 'selling something FOR something'. Why are all these governors Democrats? Are all Republican governors above this kind of politics or are only Democratic governors being targeted? I have been very suspicious of this whole 'investigation' business for quite a while.
February 3, 2009 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
From what I had read, this was supposed to be a wide-ranging investigation into underwriters' collusive management of the state and local bond underwriting and sales process. Who in state government got paid has never been specified, and what the DGA is doing in this has not been specified.
What I DO know is that 2010 census is coming up, and the more Republican governors there are, either legitimately or by backlash against Democratic Governors' perceived malfeasance, the better chance the Republicans have of playing games stacking the redistricting process, like they did mid-cycle in Texas, and then tried in Colorado.
As evidence, recognize how misogynistic the GOP is, yet they've made not a peep about Gov. Napolitano, a Dem leading a GOP state, home to John McSame. Why? Because, in stepping into the Obama Admin, she leaves her state at the mercy of a complete whack-job of a Republican lieutenant gov.
February 3, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
These past few years remind me of that movie "West Side Story" where the two gangs kept going after each other and in the end.... the innocents paid the price...
February 3, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Suddenly, all the Dems are going down to scandal. I absolutely believe we should hold our own to a high standard, but I am starting to wonder how much of this is manufactured outrage. I am worried that the Repubs will retake on these grounds. But the will (of course) not hold their members to the highest standard.
February 3, 2009 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink