New Mexico Judge Charged in Bribery Case, but Former Governor Draws a Mention

[Casino67]

NYTimes.com:

The indictment of a judge on bribery charges is big news anywhere, but the case against Michael Murphy, a state district judge in New Mexico, has shaken the politics of that state and returned Bill Richardson, the former governor, to the headlines.

Prosecutors accuse Judge Murphy of advising a judicial candidate several years ago that if she wanted to increase her chances of getting a judgeship, she should deliver cash in an envelope to a Democratic Party operative, who would pass it along to Mr. Richardson, who was in his second term as governor. Judge Murphy is quoted in court papers as saying that the practice was commonplace and that he paid $4,000 to win an appointment from Mr. Richardson in 2006.

Mr. Richardson said in a statement that suggestions that he handed out judicial appointments based on campaign contributions were “outrageous and defamatory.”

His supporters call the case politically motivated, pointing to the involvement of two prominent Republicans, including Gov. Susana Martinez, who succeeded Mr. Richardson in January. “That speaks volumes about this prosecution,” said Gilbert Gallegos, who was Mr. Richardson’s deputy chief of staff.

[SrWoodchuck]

Richardson's Chicago "pay-to-play" escapades made him a shoe in for Obama's VP, Cabinet Post,....er, he was so toxic.....he couldn't even play with "Oblunder & the Seven Progressive Dwarves."

 

From Wiki:

 

In its April 2010 report, ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Richardson one of 11 "worst governors" in the United States because of various ethics issues throughout Richardson's term as governor. The group accused Richardson of allowing political allies to benefit from firms connected to state investments, rewarding close associates with state positions or benefits (including providing a longtime friend and political supporter with a costly state contract), and allowing "pay-to-play" activity in his administration. They also opined that he fell short on efforts to make state government more transparent.

[AceRimmer]

SrWoodchuck!

 

I've never seen somebody sweat on the Sunday talk show circuit like Bill Richardson did when the late Tim Russert grilled him about Los Alamos and the Chinese theft of nuclear weapon designs on 'Meet the Press'.