In accordance with Clause 3 of House Rule XI and Rules 14(a)(3) and 18 of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, which authorize the Committee to establish an investigative subcommittee of its own initiative, the Committee has unanimously voted to establish an investigative subcommittee to conduct an inquiry regarding Representative Laura Richardson.
During the course of the Committee’s independent investigation, the Committee received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics regarding this same matter. As provided by House Rule X, clause 1 (q) and Committee Rule 17 A, the Committee has exclusive jurisdiction over the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the Code of Official Conduct. Consistent with the Committee’s rules, it reviews OCE’s report and findings without prejudice or presumptions as to the merit of the allegations.
Based on the Committee’s initial investigation and review of OCE’s report and findings, the Committee exercised its authority under House and Committee rules to empanel an investigative subcommittee to obtain and review additional evidence necessary to make a determination as to whether Representative Richardson violated House Rules or any applicable statutes.
Pursuant to the Committee’s action, the investigative subcommittee shall have jurisdiction to determine whether Representative Laura Richardson violated House Rules, the Code of Official Conduct or the Ethics in Government Act by failing to disclose certain real property, income and liabilities on her financial disclosure forms (and amendments thereto) and whether Representative Richardson received an impermissible “gift” or received preferential treatment from her lender relating to the foreclosure, rescission of the foreclosure sale or loan modification agreement for or relating to her property in Sacramento, California.
Representative Ben Chandler will serve as Chair of the investigative subcommittee, and Representative Gregg Harper will serve as its Ranking Republican Member. The other two members of the subcommittee are Representative Keith Ellison and Representative Sue Myrick.