WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif., said Thursday she would pay a $10,000 fine out of her own pocket after being reprimanded for ethical misconduct.
The House of Representatives Ethics Committee voted Thursday to reprimand the Long Beach Democrat for pressuring staff members to work on her campaign and using taxpayer money for personal and political expenses.
"I do take these findings very seriously and do accept the responsibility," Richardson said on the House floor.
The Los Angeles Times said the reprimand came at a potentially critical moment in Richardson's political career. She faces a re-election campaign in a newly re-drawn 44th District against fellow Democrat Rep. Janice Hahn, who enjoys a high profile in the Los Angeles area and last year won a special election to replace Rep. Jane Harman in the 36th District.
