Rep. Richardson's once-foreclosed house deemed a 'nuisance'

Remember the Sacramento house (pictured) that Long Beach congresswoman Laura Richardson lost to foreclosure and then fought to regain? Local officials in Sacramento say the home, once again owned by the Democratic congresswoman, is in disrepair and is a "public nuisance."

From today's L.A. Times: "This week, in the latest chapter in the housing saga, the Code Enforcement Department in Sacramento declared Richardson's home a 'public nuisance.'"

More: "The city has threatened to fine her as much as $5,000 a month if she doesn't fix it up. Neighbors in the upper-middle-class neighborhood complain that the sprinklers are never turned on and the grass and plants are dead or dying. The gate is broken, and windows are covered with brown paper. 'I would call it an eyesore,' " said Peter Thomsen, a retired bank executive who lives nearby.

Richardson, a Democrat who faces no Republican opposition on the November ballot, rarely answers questions about her personal finances, and this latest story is no exception. The Times: "Asked about the house, Richardson's office released a statement that said: 'Neither Congresswoman Richardson nor her attorney have received any information referring to this matter. Any additional information will be provided at a later date.' "

--Peter Viles
Your thoughts? Comments? E-mail story tips to peter.viles@latimes.com
Photo Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[E]

$5,000 a month fine?

Does she have that much in her "slush fund"?

[The original RZ]

You'd think with all this negative press that she'd be embarrassed enough to take action (other than reclaim her home) and do something about it and the payments she owes. How can we trust this person to make decisions in Congress that affect our economy when she can't keep her own finances in order?

[mark g]

this is just another septic leak into the political waters of Richardson's sunny day at the beach...

[sheila]

what a mess!

you know, she should just get someone she does political favors for (and her campaign pays $1.5 million to) to rent her an apartment with no lease and pay all her utility bills for her for a payment - optional $600/month like rep. norm coleman (R - MN). you know, the same arrangement we all have with our landlords - no special treatment. would save her all the hassles of home ownership, taxes, repairs, yard work, and paying those pesky A/C and cable bills...

[TakeFive]

This is great. She was embarrassed into "saving" her property from foreclosure (or more precisely, default). Even got the bank to play along.

Now things should get interesting. Bet the bank doesn't collect more than a token payment, but will conveniently neglect to foreclose this time around.

Most likely scenario: a contributor masquerading as a buyer will soon pay an inflated price for this property.

[Rob]

If you cant take care of your own affairs, how can you possibly be responsible for others?

[Don]

The current political leadership of this country/state is so inept and corrupt that they all need to be replaced. Washington Mutual should be investigated and fined for treating a politician more favorably than other borrowers who serial default. They were probably trying to build up brownie points if they fail to meet capital ratios (reminiscent of the Keating 5). Those on the public payroll should be above reproach in handling their financial affairs and assets - Richardson should resign.

[Duke of Moral Hazard]

It's very possible that the congress types, ethics committees and law enforcement agencies simply don't understand how she is alleged to have committed mortgage fraud. Maybe we need to walk them through this slowly. There are probably a good many people who simply think that she's got a tough life and that, heck, she does clean up her messes once someone publicizes them.

And don't forget she got her house back out of foreclosure after someone waved their magic wand. Where's the quid pro quo? Why is she being protected by Pelosi and friends? Is it because she is relatively young and thoroughly corrupt? They can get decades of use out of her?

Let's go back over her m.o. for a minute. A good example is her congressional website. They have a press release there that trumpets: "U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson helped to secure millions in federal funding for critical infrastructure, health and education projects in House of Representatives, Appropriations spending bills."

Nice use of language, eh? "...helped secure..." Sounds like she's already got a million pork chops already stacked up on the docks. But those pork chops have not even been unloaded yet. At the veeeeeery bottom of the press release they put in a liiiiiiiiitle disclaimer:

"While these Appropriations Bills have not yet passed the House, the inclusion of these projects in the bills is the critical first step to making sure this funding reaches the people of the 37th District."

Can you see why her union supporters think she's already doing a great job for them?

Still wondering about her years in China, too. And her relationship with those lovely people that bribe our officials at the port.

Last thought for now: there has to be somone reading this that has access to national property records. In one of her interviews someone asked her point blank if she had any other properties. She discombobulated for a split second, and then answered with a "no comment." This would indicate she has other properties out there. Dig 'em up! Houses, buildings, land, whatever.

And maybe we should look deep into her relationship with the new NAR fellow who happens to be from her district. NAR is her biggest contributor.

[Anon.]

The original RZ,

We can't trust her, but she will most likely keep getting elected anyway. Relection money and the power of incumbency is a hard thing to overcome these days. Far too hard to overcome in my opinion.

[CD]

Well, Detroit Mayor is in jail ,so why not her ? What do they need to get her in a cell ? Woahhhh the Detroit Mayor is going to the Democratic Convention, will she go to ?
Den of thieves.

[Nick]

You just have to be awed at the utter stupidity of the majority of voters in her district. She could be the poster child for corruption and ineptitude in Congress, and wins re-election easily. All the reform initiatives and grass-roots movements to fix the cesspool which is our Congress can't compete with mass idiocy in the voting populace.

[Chris in Sacramento]

I strongly disagree with the criticism of the voters in Richardson's district. Regardless of Richardson's personal ethics, it's quite likely she's the best available choice in terms of representing the voters' economic interests in Washington. I do agree that it would be healthy for the political system for her to be challenged in a future primary.

[TakeFive]

So Pete - what are the guidelines for the new "tweaked" comment policy? I noticed some of my pithy comments on Ms. Richardson didn't make it through the filter.

Should everything be prefaced with "In my opinion..." to avoid being libelous?

[E]

Disagree with the criticism of the voters in her district?

Stupid is as stupid does.

And if you buy one of those units that are going up for "auction" (cough-cough) in the latest towers of stupidity condominiums, you too can be represented by her!

[peteviles]

TakeFive writes, "So Pete - what are the guidelines for the new "tweaked" comment policy? I noticed some of my pithy comments on Ms. Richardson didn't make it through the filter."

Thanks, Take. I read almost all the comments myself, and sometimes I just lose my place in the stack of comments and miss a couple. I had missed yours, but it was fine, it should have been published immediately, and I just went back and published it.

That said, you asked about the new policy. There is no formal policy, just a general sense that we're going to be a little more selective. Here's an example of a comment on the Richardson story I did not post -- I think it's meant to be humorous, but I didn't post it:

I THINK SHE IS HOT AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO DO AND FURTHERMORE THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO FORCLOSE ON A HARD WORKING DEMOCRAT!!!!!!!

See what I mean? It's on the border. Somewhat inappropriate, somewhat humorous. Somewhat pointless. I only publish it as an example of the kind of stuff that doesn't make the cut any more.

Here's another one I didn't publish today, it falls into the totally random category:

Help the honeybees!

Prevent the loss of the world food supply. Learn how you can help cure Colony Collapse Disorder.

etc., etc. You get the point, I hope.
Pete

[Cal]

Peter has been censoring my warnings of the Montauk Monster and Bigfoot for some time now. I think he supports these monsters living among us, taking our jobs and our women.

[TakeFive]

“I read almost all the comments myself and sometimes I just lose my place in the stack…”

You have my sympathy. Maybe you can force this task on the new junior associates of this blog until they pay their dues.

[NevadaGal]

It seems half the elected politicos of NJ are on trial, on probation, or being tried. Oh, I forgot those are STATE/LOCAL pols and not FEDERAL like Richardson. That seems to make a lot of difference when the anti-corrpution whips snaps.