Ethics Group Says Richardson Made Staffers Cross Line Into Political Work

[The Northerner]

A ethics watchdog is asking the FBI to investigate whether Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) was misusing her congressional staffers to by forcing them to work at campaign events and run personal errands, a violation of federal law.

The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) said in a letter to the FBI's Washington field office that "requiring staff members to engage in campaign-related activities undermines the basic principle that government funds should not be spent to help incumbents gain re-election."

CREW obtained as Sept. 27, 2010 email from Richardson Chief of Staff Shirley Cooks that says that all staffers were required to attend a "Democratic Idol" fundraising event. "Please bring spouses and tell interns they have to be there as well," the email says.

The complaint also alleges that Richardson made staffers run unspecified personal errands in violation of federal law.

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