Exec linked to Bill RIchardson gave to Barack Obama

WASHINGTON — A prominent businessman caught up in a grand jury probe whose political donations ended any role for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in the Obama administration also was a generous contributor in support of the president-elect.

David Rubin gave $26,200 to the Democratic Party on Sept. 19 and $2,300 to Barack Obama’s campaign on Sept. 30, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Last February, Rubin gave another $1,000 to Obama’s campaign.

Rubin donated $100,000 in 2003-2004 to political committees of Richardson. The contributions came both before and after Rubin’s company won a state contract in New Mexico to help finance $1.4 billion for highway and transportation projects, a contract that brought $1.5 million in business for the company, CDR Financial Products.

In a statement, the company says the grand jury investigation concerns whether Rubin’s contributions might have been made in order to obtain favored status for the company, CDR, in seeking work as a financial adviser to the state.

Rubin has given over $200,000 in federal election campaigns since 1995, almost all of it to Democrats, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit group that tracks political donations.

“CDR has never practiced pay-for-play, on any playing field where we do business,” the company’s statement said.

Obama’s transition office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.