Ask the congresswoman: Your questions for U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson

I'm overdue for a session of "Ask the blogger," so here goes. Today, something completely different: Instead of your questions for me, I'd like to hear your questions for U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, the triple-default Democrat from Long Beach.

I sent her office a list of questions in late May (you can see my questions by clicking at the bottom of this post) and haven't heard back, so I'm giving up and turning to you: submit your best (serious) questions for U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, I'll sort through them and send them along to her congressional office. Fire away.
Photo Credit: U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, by L.A. Times

(Sent by e-mail on June 10 to Kimberly Parker, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson)

Kimberly: I'm still interested in answers to the questions below, which I first submitted to the congresswoman's office on May 22:

Questions from Peter Viles at the Los Angeles Times:

What kind of mortgage did the congresswoman take on the Sacramento home? (Adjustable Rate Mortgage, Option ARM, 30-year-fixed, etc.)

What was the amount of the loan and the interest rate?

Who was the original lender?

Did she take out one loan or more than one loan?

Did she make a down payment? If so, how much?

A published report quotes the seller of the house saying that Ms. Richardson received $15,000 from the seller for closing costs. Is this accurate?

What were her monthly payments on the mortgage?

How many payments did she make on the mortgage?

When did she begin missing payments on the mortgage, and why?

When and how did she contact the lender to discuss a loan modification?

Did she contact the lender herself, or did a member of her staff contact the lender?

Documents indicate the amount she owed on the loan was eventually greater then the initial value of the loan itself. Can you explain why the amount she owed increased?

When did she and the lender agree to a loan modification? And what is the exact nature of the loan modification? What is the new interest rate, the new principal amount, and the new monthly payment?

How many payments has the congresswoman made on the loan modification?

Thanks.

Peter Viles

Comments

[Laker]

1)As a public official and people representative, don't you think you should give a good example by being responsible and paying your dues and obligations?
2)You get a mortgage and sign for it, why would you expect the bank to modify your loan in the middle of the term?
3) When you bought your 2nd or 3rd home, have you stated your income or provided full documentation on your income?
4)On your Sacramento house, for the benefit of the public on those that are about to lose their home to foreclosure, would please disclose the agreement you've reached with WAMU on the loan modification?

Laker

[someday the ants will eat grasshoppers]

Can you please give us the names of the other members of congress who have behaved as you have regarding housing and mortgages? Why should you go through all this scrutiny alone? The popularity among politicians of the term "housing crisis" to describe the impending affordability of housing for the middle class suggests to me that you are not alone in your thinking or your behavior. Please, give us names.

[I Had A Dream]

Did you really put nearly 70% ($320,000) down on the Folsom house? If so, where'd you get the money???

How come Daniel Richardson appears in title docs on sacramento home right up until the Notice of Default? Was an NOD recorded on him as well? (who is he?)

Did you ever work in real estate?

If you aren't cooperating with the press to help them understand your situation, are you at least cooperating with the authorities?

How come jewellers are some of your biggest supporters?

[Shawn]

My Question to the congresswoman is about Federal Extension of Unemployment Benefits, I was a senior level manager that have a Phd I lost my job and have not been able to find anything even near to what I was doing before,

I received me Unemployment benefit last year and I am not qualify to get any untill the congress approves the federal unemployment extension, It is really hurting our family here with everything going on with housing market as well, I like to ask for her support on approving the Federal unemployment Extension benefit.
Thank you.

[RZ]

How do you respond to constituents who think that your personal woes (house foreclosure, missed payments, etc.) have lost you your credibiility to make good decisions as a congresswoman?

[buz]

How much money have you/your associates/family accepted from strip club owners?

[ladybug]

Do you think that these are reasonable expectations of your constituents?
Pay your bills on time
Manage your finances responsibly
Honor your commitments
Not expect special treatment
Respond to questions to insure that there isn't even an appearance of impropriety
File the required financial paperwork in a timely manner
Lead by example
Not "borrow" money from people who have interests/business that you will be voting on

Are any of these expectations unreasonable? Why?

[Michael Snyder]

How do you look at yourself in the mirror every day? As a child I was taught the difference between right & wrong, truth & a lie. Where did you gain this knowledge?
I guess my parochial education was good for something because I still can't tolerate a liar in my life.

[jb]

Just how many lifelong democrats like me do you suppose are considering going to the dark side (voting republican) for the first time in their lives because of you?

I will never own a home but you will own tons of them while you do nothing on your fat salary. Out you go.

[pugtv]

From "The Office" - Toby's Last Day

1. Who do you think you are?
2. What gives you the right?

Lol.

[TakeFive]

What’s the point?

You’ve be given evasions, equivocations, and rationalizations, but not the truth. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. This woman was elected by the same kind of voters that reelect a crack smoker to be mayor of DC.

The only way this woman will suffer any consequences is she becomes a big enough embarrassment to her superiors. Even that’s doubtful. Look what happened to William Jefferson (D-LA) with the bribe money stashed in the freezer. Nothing.

The best way to get any traction with this story is to start spreading the rumor that she’s a Republican. That should get it on the nightly news.

[I Had A Dream]

Is she even in the Capitol today? House is in session. Where is she? Where is Pelosi? Where is everybody?

Apparently, same lack of activity around the white house:

http://tinyurl.com/56woy8

Want to get heartsick? Tune into Cspan and check out the kind of things they're discussing and voting on... or you can go to the house.gov website to see the agenda. Our entire freaking economy is melting down and there's like 5 people in congress talking about chopping off 10 acres of federal land for a cemetary and whether or not to honor golfer chi chi rodriguez. I kid you not.

[MyLessThanPrimeBeef]

Is it time yet for another Congressional pay raise?

Where is the next hot spot for house flipping?

[E]

Did you get free lap dances from the strip club?

[LA]

Raise your hand if you think you'll get an honest answer.

Anyone?

'Nuf said.

[The Bitter Renter]

You've said that foreclosed homeowners need someone who can identify with them to represent them. Do you feel that way about thieves and liars too?

[RahRahGrl]

Have you paid your property taxes (for all properties) in full?

As the State of California is cutting the budgets for so many essentials, we all have the responsibility to chip in for our share of the expenses. It is hypocritical to negotiate and vote on a budget when you haven't put your own money into the kitty. Pay up.

[Uncle Billy Indicts Mont Pelerin]

Breaking News from the Associated Press

"Group seeks ethics probe of Calif. congresswoman
By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 06/18/2008 12:42:06 PM PDT

WASHINGTON—A watchdog group has asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate Democratic Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California over her history of defaulting on home loans.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wants the committee to determine whether Richardson received what amounted to an improper gift from Washington Mutual Inc. The savings and loan rescinded the foreclosure sale of her home.

The man who bought the Sacramento house at auction in May has sued Richardson and Washington Mutual alleging the sale was proper. The sale is officially recorded in Sacramento County.

The buyer says Richardson received special treatment from Washington Mutual because she's a congresswoman.

Richardson's spokesman had no immediate comment. Washington Mutual has declined comment, saying Richardson had not granted permission for the company to discuss her case."

Improper gift? That's it? What kind of a watchdog *is* this? We have a laundry list, not a single issue to investigate. Was this chosen because it will be impossible to establish the nature of the returned favor? One would hope they know that Richardson is already on her way out, and they are making a gesture to present the image that they're actually doing something.

[Bart Triesch]

Will criminal fraud charges be brought against Laura Richardson?

Bart Triesch