Chronology of key events in Richardson withdrawal

[January 05, 2009]  Notable events leading to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's withdrawal of his bid to become commerce secretary:

• Early 2003: Richardson wins legislative approval of a $1.6 billion highway and transportation construction program called Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership, or GRIP.

• October 2003: CDR Financial Products Inc. CEO David Rubin contributes $25,000 to Richardson political committee, Moving America Forward.

• 2004: Bonds are issued for GRIP transportation program. CDR, which is based in Beverly Hills, Calif., becomes part of a team of investment and financial advisers selected by the New Mexico Finance Authority to put together the GRIP financing. CDR earns at least $951,000 in fees in 2004 for its services to the authority.

• June 2004: CDR -- under its former name, Chambers, Dunhill, Rubin and Co. -- donates $75,000 to a political committee that Richardson established, Si Se Puede! Boston 2004 Inc. The donation comes a couple of months after the transportation financing arrangement won state approval.

• 2005: Rubin gives $10,000 to Richardson's re-election campaign.

• Aug. 29, 2008: The New Mexico Finance Authority issues a statement saying it is "cooperating fully" with federal authorities in their investigation of CDR in connection with the 2004 issuance of bonds.

• Nov. 14, 2008: Richardson meets in Chicago with President-elect Barack Obama, who interviews him about being secretary of state. New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton also is being considered for the position.

• Nov. 23, 2008: Democratic official says Richardson is Obama's choice for commerce secretary.

• Dec. 3, 2008: Obama announces his selection of Richardson as commerce secretary, calling him a leading "economic diplomat for America" in troubled times.

• Dec. 10, 2008: Richardson's expected replacement as New Mexico governor, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, announces a transition advisory team.

• Dec. 16, 2008: A person familiar with the proceedings tells The Associated Press that a federal grand jury is investigating how CDR won its contract. Richardson ducks questions about the company at a news conference.

• Jan. 4, 2009: Richardson withdraws his name from consideration for commerce secretary.

[Associated Press]

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