PHOENIX — Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2008, is being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible violations of campaign finance laws, people with knowledge of the inquiry say.
Defense lawyers and others briefed on the investigation said one of the accusations is that Richardson raised $250,000 from supporters to quiet a woman who had threatened to file a sexual harassment suit against him.
The Albuquerque Journal first reported on the existence of the investigation Nov. 16, and The Wall Street Journal followed up Thursday with more details about money paid to a woman who had said she had an affair with the governor.
In interviews Thursday, people with knowledge of the investigation said a sexual harassment claim might be at the root of the inquiry.
Whether such a surreptitious payment would violate the law is debated by campaign finance experts, because unreported private gifts are allowed, whereas political contributions must be documented.
Richardson, who has been giving speeches and consulting since he left the governor’s office at the end of 2010, was traveling overseas Thursday and did not respond to requests for comment.
