Rep. Laura Richardson found guilty of seven ethics violations

— -- The House Ethics Committee on Tuesday recommended the full House reprimand and fine Rep. Laura Richardson $10,000 for seven ethics violations including improper usage of House resources.

The bipartisan committee reported their their investigation found the California Democrat violated House rules and other standards of conduct by using congressional resources for "campaign, personal, and nonofficial purposes," "requiring or compelling" House staff to work on her re-election campaign, and by "obstructing" the committee's investigation by destroying or altering evidence, failing to produce documentation and "attempting to influence the testimony of witnesses."

At one point in the report, the committee claimed Richardson acted with "utter disdain" for their process.

"The Committee on Ethics has unanimously recommended that the House of Representatives adopt the report, and with it, a reprimand of Representative Richardson for the conduct described therein," the committee stated, adding a recommendation Richardson be fined $10,000 to be paid no later than December 1, 2012.

Richardson has agreed to the committee's terms.

"Representative Richardson has agreed to a settlement of this House Ethics Committee matter," her office said in a statement. "She has agreed to accept a reprimand by the adoption of the Committee report; and has agreed to pay a fine." She waived her right to a hearing, citing the time and effort the case would sap from the House as well as from the congresswoman.

Richardson in her Statement of Views included in the report claimed to be unaware of a specific directives made by her chief of staff regarding campaign activity, and cited numerous issues with the House Ethics Committee's investigative process.

Today's news is likely to prominently figure into Richardson's re-election race. Due to redistricting, the congresswoman faces a tough challenge from fellow Democratic Rep. Janice Hahn in the 44th District.  The two lawmakers are scheduled to face off in November under the state's top-two primary system which allows the top two primary candidates regardless of party to advance to the general election.

The  House Ethics Committee has long faced criticism for a failure to reach speedy conclusions, issuing weak penalties, misconduct and general disorder.

In July 2011, the committee hired outside counsel to investigate whether their staff mismanaged the case of California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, which centers on whether Waters used her political position to improperly advocate on behalf of a bank in which her husband was financially invested. The committee concluded in June 2012 that the committee did not violate Waters' rights but did not issue any report or findings from that investigation, rankling Democrats who called on the committee to release their information.