Clerical error led to Texas donation snafu

Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign is taking credit for a snafu that resulted in a donation being erroneously reported as coming from a Republican judge in Texas, but isn’t explaining how it happened.

The $2,300 contribution was reported as coming from a Matt Johnston with an address and occupation that matched the former address and occupation of District Judge Matt Johnson (without the “t”). Johnson, however, didn’t give the contribution.

The sheriff in Waco, Texas is investigating, but Richardson’s spokesman told the Albuquerque Tribune that the mixup was the result of a clerical error by a campaign staffer. He didn’t elaborate.

The Richardson campaign filed an amended report this week clarifying that the contribution didn’t come from Johnson.