CLOSE CALL

Bill Richardson in the Clear

Governor won't be charged in corruption probe.

Governor Bill Richardson and his colleagues can breathe a little easier: a new report suggests they won't be indicted on corruption charges. The former presidential candidate was forced to withdraw his nomination to be commerce secretary in January after news broke that a federal grand jury was investigating allegations that a Richardson donor made lucrative deals with the state in exchange for his help. According to the Associated Press, a source familiar with the investigation now says that top Justice Department officials have decided to back off pursuing indictments against Richardson and his staffers. "It's over. There's nothing. It was killed in Washington," the person told the AP.