Washington, Jan 5
Bill Richardson, US President-elect Barack Obama's pick for the post of commerce secretary, has withdrawn his nomination, NBC reported Sunday.
Obama accepted the withdrawal of Richardson, who is the Governor of New Mexico, according to the report. A federal grand jury was investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a lucrative New Mexico state contract.
"Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," Richardson said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process," he added.
