Bill Richardson thought probe would end in December

By GottaLaff

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New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who withdrew his nomination to be secretary of Commerce, said he thought an investigation of a state contract would have been concluded last month.

Richardson said Monday that, when the probe of the contract given to a political donor was not wrapped up then, he decided it was best for President-elect Obama’s incoming administration and the floundering economy for him to withdraw instead of asking for a delayed confirmation.

The governor, talking to reporters at a press conference in New Mexico, expressed that it was painful to withdraw his name from consideration for the Cabinet post. He added that he “underestimated” how long the grand jury investigation would last. [...]

“I had hoped that the CDR investigation would have concluded in December with a clean bill of health for my administration,” Richardson said. “Since the investigation was not finished in December and, as long as the CDR investigation is ongoing, I made the decision to withdraw as the president-elect’s nominee for Commerce secretary rather than ask for a delay in my appointment.”