Vancitydissident's Blog

They may end up sharing the same Federal prison cell.

That’s not a racist joke. It would be nice to say, “Love of country and family, respect for the rule of law and the desire to be the best men they can be.”

Unfortunately, when the Serbian politician is Milorad “Rod” Blagojević (Blagojevich) and the Hispanic politician is William Blaine “Bill” Richardson III, you have to go with the prison cell.

We all know what Governor Blagojević of Illinois is accused of doing–If you don’t, type his name into any search engine and come back here when you’re finished–so, I’ll skip straight to Governor Richardson of New Mexico…yes, the Land of Enchantment from whence I came.

First…the back-story:
During last year’s Presidential Primary season, I noticed Governor Richardson flagging a bit and asked my aunt what the hell was wrong.
“He has problems.” She replied over the phone. “He has serious shit in his closet.”
She didn’t explain what exactly the stuff or scandal was, but I knew to trust her. She was in former governor Bruce King’s administration, after all, and she’s lived in Santa Fé for thirty-seven years. She knows where some of the bodies are buried, ’cause she was one holding the coats when they went into the ground.

Time came for Barack Obama to choose a running-mate, nothing had been said about Bill Richardson and I placed another call to enquire about his veep chances.
“I told you, Eric!” She replied impatiently, as if talking to a mentally challenged person. “He has serious shit in his closet. The door just hasn’t yet been pulled open!”

The door opens:
On 17 December, after the election and at the beginning of Christmas Week, the Associated Press ran a story, which appeared in the Hobbs News-Sun
In summary:
1–It’s a pay for play case–if you want to play, you must first pay. A Federal grand-jury is investigating whether the pay took the form of campaign contributions from California-based CDR Financial Products to Governor Richardson, in exchange for play in the form of a lucrative contract with the New Mexico Finance Authority.

2–The grand jury investigation is the result of an FBI probe, in which the agency obtained documents from the NMFA and interviewed its employees, past and present, regarding a 2004 contract with CDR for a $1.6 billion transportation program.
  A–The documents show that CDR was paid $1.48 million in 2004 and 2005 for its work.
  B–CDR was part of an investment and financial-advising team selected by the NMFA to piece together an intricate bond-financing deal for a highway and transportation construction program, for which Richardson had won legislative approval in 2003.
  C–The NMFA is a twelve-person, semi-public agency that provides financing–through the issuance of bonds and other means–for New Mexico construction projects, ranging from buildings and highways to drinking-water and waste-water systems. Nine of its dozen members are either appointed by the governor or serve as his cabinet secretaries.
  D–The New Mexico Department of Transportation program in question was called GRIP, which stands for Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership.

3–Campaign finance records show that the contributions by CDR and its CEO, David Rubin were somewhat substantial, totaling $110,000 and dispersed between three political committees formed by Governor Richardson.
  A–The largest portion–a June 2004 payment of $75,000–came only a few months after the financing arrangement won approval and went to a political committee established by Richardson prior to that year’s Democratic National Convention.
The committee, Si Se Puede Boston 2004 Inc, helped cover the convention expenses of Richardson’s staff and supporters.
The committee reported the donation as coming from Chambers, Dunhill, Rubin and Co., a former name for CDR.
  B–The next largest amount–an October 2003 payment of $25,000 from David Rubin to another Richardson committee, Moving America Forward–came as the New Mexico Legislature was debating the transportation project.
  C–The remaining $10,000–also from Mr. Rubin–took the form of a 2005 contribution to Governor Richardson’s re-election campaign.

In a nutshell:
Campaign finance records show that David Rubin, CEO of CDR Financial Products contributed to a Richardson Committee at a time the transportation project was under legislative consideration.
After the project was approved and CDR was selected to be part of its financing plan, the company donated $75,000 to a committee to finance Richardson and company’s activities at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.
At a period roughly concurrent with the final payment to CDR, David Rubin contributed $10,000 to Governor Richardson’s re-election campaign.

A spokesman for CDR insists that the company was selected for the financing contract through “a rigourous and thoroughly vetted” competitive bidding process, calling allegations of impropriety “ridiculous and offensive.”
The spokesman insists David Rubin is merely politically active and liberal, having given millions of dollars to Jewish and liberal causes over the years.

It remains to be seen what, if any, charges will be laid and what sentences will be handed down, should either or both be convicted.

It is almost certain that Governor Richardson’s announcement, two days ago, that he was withdrawing himself from consideration was a façade, allowing Governor Richardson a modicum of honor after Barack Obama told him to hit the bricks.
That’s how it’s done in politics. That’s exactly how my aunt explained it to me, Sunday.

The future of New Mexico will take one of two major paths, neither good for Governor Richardson.
1–Richardson will resign and Lieutenant Governor, Diane Denish will become the state’s first female governor.
2–He’ll stick his term out and take a royal ass-whipping from Diane Denish.

Ms. Denish had already appointed members of a transition-team and has a lot of backing.
She’s from my county. She talks like me and thinks a lot like me. Under Governor Denish, pay-for-playtime will be over.