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Bill Richardson: August 2009

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U.S. Attorney Made Decision To Drop Richardson Charges

Zachary Roth | August 28, 2009, 9:44AM

OK, just to put the nail in the coffin of any claims that the decision by the Justice Department to drop the pay-to-play investigation of New Mexico governor Bill Richardson was political:

The New York Times reports that the U.S. attorney's office sent an official letter to witnesses before the grand jury, informing them that charges would not be brought against Richardson or his aides. "Top Justice Department officials," added the Times, "concurred with Mr. Fouratt's decision to drop the inquiry."

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Topics: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson

Bill Richardson

Was Decision To Drop Richardson Case Political? Looks Like No

Zachary Roth | August 27, 2009, 5:23PM

Earlier we noted an AP report in which an anonymous source claimed the pay-to-play probe of New Mexico governor Bill Richardson "was killed in Washington," implying that political appointees at DOJ acted on behalf of an Obama ally.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment to TPMmuckraker. But reports by the New York Times and Washington Post seem to largely knock down that suggestion.

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Topics: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Justice Department

Bill Richardson

Source: Richardson Probe "Was Killed In Washington"

Zachary Roth | August 27, 2009, 9:34AM

Remember that federal investigation into an alleged pay-to-play deal that derailed New Mexico governor Bill Richardson's bid to be commerce secretary? Well, it's looking like the governor and his top aides will avoid charges.

But the way things shook out may only raise more questions.

A "person familiar with the investigation" told the AP that top Justice Department officials had made the decision not to bring charges, adding that the probe "was killed in Washington."