By Justin Rood,ABC News
Obama and disgraced Governor Bill Richardson
President-elect Barack Obama took big money from a man at the center of a federal probe that has forced one of Obama’s top Cabinet picks to withdraw.
Financial records show the Obama campaign got more than $30,000 from California financier David Rubin,the target of an investigation into donations and possible “pay-to-play”deals involving New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson,Obama’s pick for commerce secretary.
Richardson removed himself from consideration for the post Sunday,saying the ongoing grand jury investigation threatened to hold up his confirmation. Richardson and Rubin have both denied any wrongdoing in the matter,which involved contributions and state business in 2003 and 2004.