Businessman in Richardson inquiry also gave to Obama

WASHINGTON (Winston-Salem Journal) - A prominent businessman caught up in a grand-jury investigation whose political donations ended any role for Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico in Presdent-elect Obama's administration was also a generous contributor in support of Obama.

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

Rubin and his company donated $100,000 in 2003-2004 to the political committees of Richardson. The contributions came 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.