New Mexico Judge Charged in Bribery Case, but Former Governor Draws a Mention (Bill Richardson)

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

PHOENIX — The indictment of a judge on bribery charges is big news anywhere, but the case against Michael Murphy, a state district judge in New Mexico, has shaken the politics of that state and returned Bill Richardson, the former governor, to the headlines.

Prosecutors accuse Judge Murphy of advising a judicial candidate several years ago that if she wanted to increase her chances of getting a judgeship, she should deliver cash in an envelope to a Democratic Party operative, who would pass it along to Mr. Richardson, who was in his second term as governor. Judge Murphy is quoted in court papers as saying that the practice was commonplace and that he paid $4,000 to win an appointment from Mr. Richardson in 2006.

Mr. Richardson said in a statement that suggestions that he handed out judicial appointments based on campaign contributions were “outrageous and defamatory.”

His supporters call the case politically motivated, pointing to the involvement of two prominent Republicans, including Gov. Susana Martinez, who succeeded Mr. Richardson in January. “That speaks volumes about this prosecution,” said Gilbert Gallegos, who was Mr. Richardson’s deputy chief of staff.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/us/politics/22richardson.html

[Corruption Winz]

1. Unbelievable....

Well, not really. Still, you think that since they make the laws, they'd have all the loop-holes figured out.

[originalpckelly]

2. I remember there was talk about corruption of some type when he ran for Pres.

Now I think we know how the story is going to break.