Laura Richardson's troubles continue: Sacramento authorities declare her house 'public nuisance'

SACRAMENTO - As if the embarrassment Congresswoman Laura Richardson has suffered over her personal financial problems wasn't enough, Sacramento authorities declared her home a ‘public nuisance" this week.

The city has threatened to fine the Long Beach Democrat as much as $5,000 a month if she doesn't fix it up.

Neighbors in the upper-middle-class neighborhood complain that the sprinklers are never turned on and the grass and plants are dead or dying. The gate is broken, and windows are covered with brown paper, according to this Los Angeles Times report.

On top of that, Richardson is under scrutiny for the reason she even continues to own the house. The Times reports that after missing payments, Richardson defaulted some six times over eight years and the bank, Washington Mutual, foreclosed. But after complaining enough, the bank reversed itself and, oddly, returned the title of the home to the lawmaker.

In addition to the foreclosure and now the public nuisance issue, Richardson vaulted into the news in recent years for allegedly failing to pay a car mechanic and for other personal financial faux pas.

In response, Richardson's office told the Times:

"Neither Congresswoman Richardson nor her attorney have received any information referring to this matter. Any additional information will be provided at a later date."