Hoyer fundraises for Richardson

U.S. Rep. Laura RichardsonHouse Majority Leader Steny Hoyer held a fundraiser Wednesday evening for U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, the Long Beach-area Democrat who has come under fire for defaulting on a mortgage on her Sacramento home and for failing to pay car bills.

The fundraiser was aimed at helping Richardson pay off a $330,000 campaign debt. Spokespeople for Hoyer and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee did not specify how much was raised at the event. A spokesperson for Richardson did not respond to an email requesting comment.

Critics of Richardson have accused the congresswoman of defaulting on her home while loaning her re-election campaign nearly $80,000. Richardson won the June Democratic primary and faces token opposition in November’s general election.

Richardson, a former member of the Long Beach City Council and California State Assembly filled the U.S. House seat of the Juanita Millender-McDonald last year.