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August 01, 2012

CREW Statement on Ethics Committee’s Report on Rep. Laura Richardson

Laura Richardson

Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the announcement by the House Ethics Committee that Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) violated federal law and House rules, CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan issued the following statement:

Rep. Richardson not only broke congressional rules, she also disregarded standards of common decency.  Her conduct, quite simply, is unacceptable.  The report notes her “utter absence of true remorse” and “deflection of responsibility.” Further, she obstructed the investigation by withholding documents and attempting to intimidate staff into testifying untruthfully. 

It is too bad the House Ethics Committee waited until nearly two months after Rep. Richardson was badly beaten in a primary – suggesting she is unlikely to return to Congress next year – to issue this remarkable chronicle of unbelievably outrageous conduct.  Given the incredibly damning nature of the report, the only question is why Rep. Richardson received only a reprimand and a $10,000 fine.  The delay may give staffers pause in deciding whether to reveal the misconduct of tyrannical and abusive members. 

The report strips Rep. Richardson of her right to the honorific title of “Honorable;” in fact, the committee should have recommended her expulsion.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact David Merchant at 202.408.5565 or dmerchant@citizensforethics.org

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