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Bill Richardson Brings Ethically Questionable Record To California

"Today, Governor Bill Richardson brings his record of failed leadership and questionable ethical practices to California.  California voters should be cognizant of the facts surrounding the record Richardson is proudly running on.  

"As Governor of New Mexico, Richardson has been scrutinized about the questionable use of public funds - including charges of creating jobs for friends, relatives, and donors - examined for alleged pay-for-play activities, and criticized by Democrats and Republicans for the handling of national security at Los Alamos Nuclear Labs while Energy Secretary.

"If Richardson is running on his resume, Californians know not to expect leadership, untainted ethics, or the prudent use of public funds.  Depending on how the fundraisers go, California donors could be well represented in a Richardson Administration, however."

Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party

Richardson Created Jobs "Out Of Thin Air" In Order To Please Friends And Relatives In Need Of Work:

Richardson Allegedly Bypassed Paper Trail To Invent Jobs For Supporters. "What do you do when you're the governor and you've already filled the executive branch's 647 exempt positions, but you've still got friends, political supporters and their relatives who need work? According to a report by KRQE Channel 13 investigative reporter Larry Barker, when you're Gov. Bill Richardson, you just create new jobs 'out of thin air.'" (Steve Terrell, "Governor's 'Gifts' Under Scrutiny," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 3/2/06)

In 2004, It Was Reported That Richardson Gave 122 State Jobs To Campaign Contributors And Family Members:

"Gov. Bill Richardson Has Doled Out At Least 122 State Jobs To Campaign Contributors Or Family Members Of Financial Supporters, Many Of Them Getting High-Paying Positions." ("Richardson Gives Jobs To Campaign Donors; Says Workers Are Qualified," The Associated Press, 6/13/04)

• "Contributors Or Their Family Members Hired By Richardson Gave At Least $245,500 To The Governor's Campaign In 2002. One Appointee Gave More Than $22,000." (Thomas J. Cole, "Governor's Contributors Rake In Jobs," Albuquerque Journal, 6/13/04)

• "The Top 25 Individual Contributors To Richardson Who Were Appointed To Jobs Earn An Average Of Just Under $76,000 A Year On The State Payroll." (Thomas J. Cole, "Governor's Contributors Rake In Jobs," Albuquerque Journal, 6/13/04)

Gov. Richardson Used Luxurious Modes Of Transportation, Costing Taxpayers Millions Of Dollars:

Richardson Has Taken Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars In Free Flights From Largest Smokeless Tobacco Firm. "Gov. Bill Richardson has taken tens of thousands of dollars worth of free corporate jet flights from the world's largest smokeless-tobacco company in his role as head of the Democratic Governors Association." (Jeff Jones, "Smokeless On These Flights," Albuquerque Journal, 5/14/06)

Richardson's Used State Funds To Purchase "Luxury Corporate Jet." "'The Legislature was willing to appropriate money for a new turboprop,' [Rep. Greg] Payne [(R-Albuquerque)] said last week, 'but I think a number of us have been flat-footed by the governor's attempted purchase of a luxury corporate jet.'" (Colleen Heild, "GOP Targets Plane Purchase," Albuquerque Journal, 6/26/05)

• Richardson's Cessna Citation Bravo Jet Cost $5.45 Million.  (Kate Nash, "State's Copter A Whirl Of Activity," Albuquerque Tribune, 12/10/05)

"The New Mexican's Mitote Column Of Sept. 21 Reported The Governor Had Taken A State Helicopter To Go Horseback Riding At The Chama Ranch Of Santa Fe Art And Real-Estate Investor Gerald Peters." (Tom Sharpe, "Helicopter Flight Raises Questions," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 10/10/03)

• Use Of Helicopter Cost Taxpayers $2,500. "According to the report, a high-tech Blackhawk helicopter scheduled for a training trip from Santa Fe to Carlsbad on Sept. 6 [2003] was diverted to Chama at Richardson's request - a cost to taxpayers of $2,500 - on a day when a state police helicopter often used by Richardson was grounded for maintenance." (Tom Sharpe, "Helicopter Flight Raises Questions," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 10/10/03)

While Energy Secretary, Republicans And Democrats Criticized Richardson's Handling Of National Security:

"Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., Called On Energy Secretary Bill Richardson To Step Down In Light Of Security Lapses At The Los Alamos Nuclear Labs." ("Senate Leader Calls On Richardson To Step Down," United Press International, 6/18/00)

• Sen. Shelby: "I don't believe he served the president well. I don't believe he served the nation well." ("Senate Leader Calls On Richardson To Step Down," United Press International, 6/18/00)

• "Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Also Called On Richardson To Resign ..." ("Senate Leader Calls On Richardson To Step Down," United Press International, 6/18/00)

Even Dems Upset At Richardson Over Handling Of Los Alamos Security Breach. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV): "You have shown an extreme contempt ... of this Congress." (H. Josef Hebert, "Richardson At The Center Of Security, Gas Prices Firestorm," The Associated Press, 6/22/00)

• Sen. Byrd: "You've had a bright and brilliant career. But you will never again receive the support of the Senate of the United States for any office to which you might be appointed. It's gone. You've squandered your treasure." (H. Josef Hebert, "Richardson At The Center Of Security, Gas Prices Firestorm," The Associated Press, 6/22/00)

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Also Criticized Richardson. Sen. Kerry: "In my judgment the damage to U.S. interests is very real and what has leaked out is a very serious issue." (Andrew Miga, "Kerry Warns Of More Cases Of Alleged Chinese Spying," The Boston Herald, 3/22/99)

Then-Senator Richard Bryan (D-NV), Vice-Chairman Of Senate Intelligence Committee, Called For Richardson To Be Held Accountable. "I believe what we need to do is to conduct a comprehensive review of security procedures, because I'm not satisfied that what's occurred at the lab protects our national security interests. And I would add another note. There's been a lot of partisan political theater here, obviously Secretary Richardson, the man at the top, bears the ultimate responsibility..." (CNN's "Late Edition," 6/18/00)

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