CDR Hired Richardson Adviser as "Consultant"

They Are Smelling Blood

It is a standard practice that along with campaign donations CDR would hire close associates of Elected Democrats as Consultants to funnel cash directly into the pockets of the friends of Democrats. In Philadelphia it Ron White who was close a fund raiser and associate of Mayor John Street. He received a 5,000 dollar retainer and super bowl tickets for his work. Here it is Mike Stratton, a close friend Richardson.

By BARRY MASSEY – 19 hours ago

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — One of Gov. Bill Richardson's close friends and advisers worked as a consultant for the California firm at the center of a federal pay-to-play probe that derailed the governor's appointment as commerce secretary.

Mike Stratton's consulting firm worked for CDR Financial Products to advise on business in New Mexico at the time the company was hired to work on bond deals with the New Mexico Finance Authority.

Federal investigators are now scrutinizing whether CDR's work, for which it earned nearly $1.5 million in fees, was influenced by political contributions that CDR and its chief executive David Rubin made to Richardson's political committees.

Stratton, a longtime Democratic political consultant, has been friends with Richardson for more than 25 years. He advised Richardson — and raised money for him — during the governor's failed bid for the 2008 presidential nomination.

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