HARRISBURG — A campaign donor who is the target of a federal investigation that forced New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to withdraw from consideration for U.S. Commerce secretary also gave to Gov. Ed Rendell's campaigns and was a generous supporter of the Democratic Party and President-elect Barack Obama.

David Rubin made six contributions totaling $40,000 to Rendell's campaign committees between 2001 and 2005, according to state campaign finance reports.

Rubin's Beverly Hills, Calif.-based company, CDR Financial Products Inc., also collects $45,000 a year in fees from a no-bid contract it has held with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority since 2003, according to Rendell's office.

Rendell met Rubin during his tenure as general chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2000.

Chuck Ardo, Rendell's spokesman, said questions about the contributions to his boss are "much ado about nothing."

A federal grand jury is probing state contracts in New Mexico to see whether they are related to $100,000 Rubin and his company gave to Richardson's committees in 2003 and 2004. The contributions were made before and after CDR won a state contract to help finance $1.4 billion for highway and transportation projects.

Richardson and Rubin have denied any wrongdoing. Richardson said the probe would delay Senate action on his appointment and impede the new administration's efforts to combat the national economic crisis.

Ardo said he is not aware of any similar investigation under way in Pennsylvania.

Rubin contributed generously in support of the president-elect, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Rubin gave $26,200 to the Democratic Party on Sept. 19 and $2,300 to Barack Obama's campaign on Sept. 30. Last February, he gave $1,000 to Obama's campaign.