Blagojevich Fundraiser Represented Firm In New Mexico Question
Milan Petrovic, who raised $1.96 million for Blagojevich, introduced CDR to Illinois budget and debt officials, according to e-mails obtained under a public records request. He and his lobbying firm also donated $20,000 to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a one-time Democratic presidential candidate who withdrew from consideration as U.S. Commerce Secretary following disclosure of the CDR probe.
Richardson “is a public official I admire,” Petrovic, 43, said in a telephone interview, declining to comment further.
CDR, based in Los Angeles, has drawn federal scrutiny in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Mexico since 2004. The Justice Department is looking into whether CDR was awarded $1.5 million in bond and interest-rate swap work in New Mexico in 2004 in exchange for $100,000 in donations to Richardson political committees, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the industrys regulator, has asked Congress to ban donations by unregulated firms such as CDR that advise local and state governments on how to sell bonds or invest the proceeds.
Richardson has denied any wrongdoing in the New Mexico probe. He said in January that CDR was properly awarded state work. He declined to comment on Petrovics contributions.
Political Adviser
In Illinois, Petrovic has also represented Stratton & Associates, a Denver-based consulting firm run by a senior political adviser to Richardson, state lobbying records show. Stratton lobbied on CDRs behalf in New Mexico, according to William Sisneros, chief executive officer of the New Mexico Finance Authority.
Stratton principal Michael Stratton, a senior political adviser to Richardson in his 2008 presidential campaign, didnt return calls and e-mail requesting comment.
Petrovic and his firm, Chicago-based Advanced Practical Solutions, contributed $20,000 to Richardsons campaign and political action committees in 2004 and 2005, New Mexico political finance records show. Petrovics friends, business associates and clients donated at least $50,500 to Richardson.
Illinois to New Mexico
Altogether, Illinois residents and companies contributed more than $400,000 to Richardsons re-election from 2004 through November 2006, New Mexico campaign records show.
“Hes a lobbyist,” Borsellino said in telephone interview, adding that Petrovic has asked him to contribute to many candidates. “Im in the health-care business. Someday, I may need some direction.”
Earlier this month, Richardson signed New Mexicos first- ever limits on campaign contributions, saying, “Its time for New Mexico to join the rest of the country and set strict campaign contribution limits for candidates.”
Statewide office seekers will be restricted to $5,000 per contributor for the primary election and another $5,000 for the general election. Legislature and non-statewide candidates will be limited to $2,300 apiece.
Arranging Meetings
Petrovic introduced CDR to top Illinois budget and debt officials, according to the e-mails obtained under a public records request.
On Nov. 23, 2004, CDR and Petrovic were scheduled to meet with John Filan, then director of the Illinois Governors Office of Management and Budget, for a half-hour, the e-mails show. Petrovic and a CDR employee conferred with David Abel, Illinois debt manager for about 45 minutes, according to an April 26, 2005, e-mail.
“They demonstrated their website capabilities and wanted to know what state swaps were coming,” Abel wrote in the e- mail.