House Votes to Reprimand Rep. Richardson

Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) was accused of pressuring staff to work on her campaign and for improperly using taxpayer funded resources.

WASHINGTON -- The House on Thursday voted to reprimand Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) for ethical misconduct. 

Richardson agreed to the uncommon discipline, including paying a $10,000 fine out of her own pocket. "I do take these findings very seriously and do accept the responsibility," she said on the House floor.

The House Ethics Committee unanimously recommended the punishment, saying Richardson improperly pressured her congressional staff to work on her campaign, used taxpayer-funded resources for personal and political activities, and obstructed the investigation.