I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
“As the Governor and I have said from the beginning, we acted appropriately and ethically at all times and a fair and impartial investigation would bear out those facts,” Dave Contarino, Gov. Bill Richardson’s former chief of staff, said in a statement e-mailed to me a few minutes ago.
Contarino figured in the pay-to-play federal investigation that effectively ended this week with no criminal charges.
Federal investigators were investigating how CDR Financial Products Inc., of Beverly Hills, Calif., got two consulting contracts in 2004 worth about $1.4 million to advise New Mexico on a large bond issue to help pay for road projects across the state. CDR president, David Rubin, a major Democratic contributor, had given more than $110,000 to two political action committees controlled by the governor from 2003 to 2005.
The largest of those donation, $75,000, was made less than a week before CDR was chosen by the Finance Authority to handle the investment of bond proceeds. The investigation focused on, among other things, whether Contarino played a role in hiring CDR.
Here’s the rest of the statement Contarino sent:
“This investigation has gone on for over a year. I want to acknowledge and thank the literally hundreds of friends in NM and across the country who have supported me through this ordeal. Their faith and belief in me-and in Governor Richardson-were a source of great strength through the long months of headlines, rumors, baseless accusations and efforts by some to exploit this investigation for personal and political gain.
“I worked tirelessly as a public servant and have given my time and energy to help improve the lives of New Mexicans. I hope that my year-long ordeal does not deter others from dedicating themselves to public service.
“I am happiest for Governor Richardson who, in the face of all this, continued to make a positive difference-every day-in the lives of New Mexican citizens.”
