Ethics Committee to Investigate Rep. Richardson

WASHINGTON — Rep. Laura Richardson of California says the House Ethics Committee has named a panel to investigate whether she improperly used her staff for political purposes.

In a statement Friday, the Democratic lawmaker said the committee unfairly singled her out because she's an African-American, while ignoring other lawmakers who may have misused their congressional staffs.

Richardson said numerous House members use their offices for personal lodging, saving tens of thousands of dollars at taxpayers' expense.

She contended the committee "has engaged in discriminatory conduct in pursuing two investigations against me while simultaneously failing to apply the same standards" to members who are white males.

The Ethics Committee last year concluded after a seven-month investigation that Richardson did not receive an improper gift from a lender.

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