Bill Richardson Cleared in Federal Probe

No criminal charges will be filed against New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had been accused of steering state contracts to political supporters. The former presidential candidate, who has been under investigation since last year, has denied the allegations.

A source tells the Associated Press that high-ranking Justice Department officials will absolve Richardson: "It's over. There's nothing. It was killed in Washington."

Richardson's hopes of becoming secretary of commerce in the Obama administration were dashed when the investigation was first made public. He withdrew his name from consideration in January.

Several former Richardson associates were pulled into the possible scandal. Former chief of staff David Contarino was accused of soliciting donations when he hired CDR Financial Products to advise on state transportation bond transactions. And the records of David Harris, an aide, and Michael Stratton, a political advisor, were subpoenaed by investigators. But no charges were filed against Contarino, Harris or Stratton.