“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,” Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said in a statement released Thursday afternoon, in response to news reports that Gov. Bill Richardson and former officials in his administration had been cleared in a federal investigation.