December 8, 2008 - 18:26

Golden State House members make watchdog group list

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a government watchdog group, is out with its list of “2008 Most Embarrassing Re-Elected Members of Congress,” which includes four members of the Golden State delegation.

On the list is U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), who CREW accuses of obtaining federal earmarks in 2005 to improve a plot of land he co-owned with a real estate partner, having a relationship with a lobbying firm that is currently under federal investigation, and mishandling a land sale.

Also included is U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), who CREW says “misuse[d]… his position as chairman of the committee to steer hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks to family and friends in direct exchange for contributions to his campaign committee and political action committee.”

The organization accuses U.S. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar), meanwhile, of tax evasion, misusing personal funds, and maintaining a pay-to-play relationship with a planned communities company.

Finally, CREW takes U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) to task for her personal finance problems, including her failure to properly report a loan on a financial disclosure statement and for defaulting on loans on separate properties multiple times.

Alex Isenstadt is a Politicker.com Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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