Janice Arnold-Jones
A number of Republicans are raising questions in light of today’s news that Gov. Bill Richardson and others won’t be charged following a federal investigation into allegations of pay to play in his administration.
So far, the only confirmation that the probe has ended has come from unnamed sources speaking to KRQE-TV and The Associated Press. In an interview, State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque and a 2010 candidate for governor, said the Department of Justice in Washington and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque need to publicly confirm that charges won’t be filed and explain why.
“At this point, what I can see is the governor’s buddies still made a lot of money and it costs the taxpayers a lot of money,” Arnold-Jones said. “While (not filing charges) may be justified, without an explanation, the confidence of the public continues to be eroded.”
According to the AP, “A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Albuquerque said he had no information about the Justice Department’s decision and couldn’t comment.”
The AP article also quoted an unnamed source as saying the federal probe “was killed in Washington,” not at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque. That prompted state GOP Chairman Harvey Yates Jr. to ask in a news release whether the decision was made “contrary to the advice of experienced, non-political, career prosecutors and the FBI.”
The state GOP’s news release points out that, during his Senate confirmation hearing, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said this: “The attempt to politicize the department will not be tolerated should I become attorney general of the United States. … I will work to restore the credibility of a department badly shaken by allegations of improper political interference.”
Holder was speaking, of course, about the scandal that resulted from the firings of several U.S. attorneys, including New Mexico’s David Iglesias, during the Bush administration. New Mexico is ground zero for that ongoing controversy.
Susana Martinez
In light of Holder’s statements during his confirmation hearing, Yates called on Holder to “provide transparent and honest answers” about the end of the Richardson pay-to-play probe.
Meanwhile, Susana Martinez, Doña Ana County’s district attorney and a Republican gubernatorial candidate, had this to say in a news release: “Whether its today’s news about the FBI investigation into the Richardson/Denish administration or recent news concerning the indictment of the former secretary of state, it all speaks to the same issue: Corruption is running rampant in Santa Fe and must be rooted out.”
“I am the only candidate who has a proven track record of taking on corrupt officials and bringing them to justice,” she said. “As governor, I will instill integrity and confidence in state government by ushering in a true ‘culture of responsibility’ as opposed to turning a blind eye to waste, fraud and abuse.”
Update, 4:30 p.m.
In a news release, state Democratic Party Director Josh Geise said Yates “must have a short memory. It was Heather Wilson and the Bush White House that politicized the Department of Justice.”
“Governor Richardson has let the judicial process proceed despite the false personal attacks against him and his administration that have persisted for the last 12 months. The fact is the U.S. Attorney’s office sent the case to the Department of Justice in Washington, as is customary in high profile cases — without any recommendation — despite a year of investigations, countless subpoenas and multiple grand juries,” he said. “In short, this is a total vindication of Governor Richardson and his senior advisors who have been subjected to a year of unfounded rumors, leaks and attacks. Enough politics!”
Update, 4:40 p.m.
Likely Republican Gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh released this statement:
“Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is just as responsible as Bill Richardson for the ineffective policies and lack of oversight that have become the hallmark of this administration. This campaign will be about Denish’s track record and her failure to stand up to so many members of her own party who have been investigated, indicted or convicted for criminal activity. Public corruption is not a partisan issue and shouldn’t be treated as one. New Mexico’s next governor must be willing to make the tough decisions and stand up for what is right regardless of the political fallout.”
I should note that Denish has not released a statement on today’s news or granted an interview that I requested earlier today.
Update, 11:30 p.m.
Denish released this statement:
“Assuming news reports are accurate, this is good news for the people of New Mexico. But the fact remains that public confidence has been eroded by the numerous investigations into possible wrongdoings by other government officials. We need strong ethics reform to make state government more open and accountable, and I will continue to lead that fight.”