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Denver political consultant Michael Stratton and state Sen. Chris Romer were reported Tuesday to be tied to the New Mexico bond contracts that have ensnared Gov. Bill Richardson and caused him to withdraw from consideration for U.S. commerce secretary.

According to an article by Bloomberg News, Stratton was paid $269,000 in 2003 and 2004 by JPMorgan Chase to help win public-finance business in New Mexico. The banking giant was the financier that underwrote the bulk of the $1.6 billion in bonds that are part of a reported grand jury investigation of whether political contributions netted state business.

JPMorgan's lead banker on the bond deals was Romer, who has been contacted by the U.