Former N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson pleads no contest

[left-of-center2012]

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson pleads no contest in hit-and-run accident

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will have to attend a defensive driving class within 30 days, pay $56 in court fees, and write a letter of apology to the victim as part of a plea agreement pertaining to a hit-and-run accident in Santa Fe earlier this year.

Richardson faced a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine up to $300. Under the plea deal, he will be subject to 90 days of unsupervised probation.

According to police reports, Richardson’s yellow Jeep twice struck Diehl’s Acura on the snowy morning of Jan. 6 ...

“He pushed me around the corner – he hit me that hard,” the victim, Lori Diehl, told police. “As soon as I got out of the car, Richardson was already gone.”

When police later located Richardson’s Jeep parked in a lot near Marcy and Washington Avenue, Richardson’s personal assistant initially denied that the former governor was driving in the area.

“Um, did I hit somebody?” a seemingly surprised Richardson asked the officer
When told he did, Richardson said, “It was at a stoplight, and I think I just barely popped it.”

http://www.abqjournal.com/782013/ex-gov-richardson-enters-no-contest-plea-for-hit-and-run-traffic-accident.html

[cali]

1. Well that's contemptible

[tazkcmo]

2. Wow. 56 bucks.

Somehow, I have serious doubts any of us would only face a 56 dollar hit for something like this.

[left-of-center2012]

3. Leaving the scene of an accident

I think Judge Judy would have been harder on Richardson.