Richardson withdraws as commerce sec´y

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-05-2009 10:46

In the US. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn as President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary.

NBC News quoted a statement by Richardson as saying that he withdrew due to a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

In this Dec. 3, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama stands with Commerce Secretary designate, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, at a news conference in Chicago.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Richardson denied any wrongdoing, but he said the investigation is likely to delay the confirmation process.

Obama said in a statement that he had accepted Richardson's decision with "deep regret," and he would move quickly to fill the position.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei