Politics | Bill Richardson Amid Probe, Richardson Drops Bid for Commerce By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jan 4, 2009 1:06 PM CST Copied In this file photo from Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama listens as Commerce Secretary designate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, speaks during a news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination to be commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into a lucrative state contract awarded to a firm that backed the New Mexico governor's political activities. Barack Obama's transition office said today that Obama has accepted Richardson's withdrawal. A person familiar with the proceedings has told the AP that the grand jury is looking into possible "pay-to-play" dealings between California-based CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico. Read These Next Patrick Dempsey, Shonda Rhimes pay tribute to Eric Dane. Hundreds offer to adopt dog abandoned at airport. Big Bang Theory star reveals his 'masked vigilante thing.' One US Olympian just got engaged to another. Get breaking news in your inbox. What you need to know, as soon as we know it. Sign up Report an error