Congresswoman Laura Richardson promised at a campaign forum Thursday that she will give a comprehensive public explanation of her controversial financial circumstances, including those eight defaults on three houses in four years. But not yet—not until after her 37th District constituents cast their votes in the Nov. 4 election in which she is running for a second term.

“I will be having a meeting after the election to give a recap,” Richardson said. “It’s actually [going to be] called ‘Having My Say,’ and I’ll have an opportunity to provide all those details.”

Richardson was among four candidates who gathered Thursday in an industrial arts classroom at Long Beach City College to participate in a forum sponsored by the Political Science Students Association and impressively moderated by the young Dan Komin.

But as the incumbent and overwhelming favorite in the election—the other three attendees, Peter Mathews, Lee Davis and June Pouesi, aren’t even on the ballot—Richardson was also the obvious target. Her competitors hit her hard, suggesting her inability to handle her personal finances made her unqualified to oversee the country’s budget.Richardson insisted the issues are separate.

We’re here to talk about national issues,” she maintained, “and I will just summarize it to say that my personal situation is in a very positive state at this time. Thank you very much.”

Richardson’s election to congress 13 months ago—to finish the term of the Juanita Millender-McDonald, who had just died of cancer—completed an amazing political ascension. In just one year Richardson leapfrogged from the Long Beach City Council to the California Assembly to the House of Representatives. But she soon became best known as the poster girl for the housing crisis.

It’s still her greatest claim to fame, even though all those defaults didn’t constitute all her financial problems. There was also a pattern of not paying debts—to people and businesses ranging from political consultants to a print shop and auto shops—until forced to through lawsuits or the embarrassing publicity of newspaper stories. And there was a tendency to omit legally required information from government forms that are designed to supply citizens and voters with the economic interests of office holders and candidates, as well as contributions to their campaigns.

Bottom line: Richardson may have used her homes to help finance her campaigns, stiffing tax collectors, mortgage holders and small businesses along the way.

Richardson insists she can explain everything. She promises that she will—after the election. She says she’s waiting until then because she doesn’t believe the issue is truly relevant to voters.

“It’s more of a personal update, and this election is not about a personal update,” Richardson said after the candidates’ forum. “[This election] is about my legislative record, what I will do as a member of congress.”

However, one of Richardson’s own examples of her legislative record illustrates its overlap with her personal housing issues.

 ”I said all along when my personal situation went public that I am an American and there are 1.5 million Americans who had housing issues last year and an additional minimum of 1 million who will  this year,” she said Thursday. “I learned from that situation and I actually introduced legislation. So what I’m doing is I’m taking my experience to help other people.”

Richardson was referring to HR 7126, the Housing Options Made Effective (acronym HOME) Act, which among other things would prevent foreclosure on residential property unless the lender gives specified notice, makes filings and has direct contact with the borrower. The bill may be considered in the next session of congress.

In the next breath, however, Richardson reiterated that even this particular piece of legislation ought not be given too much weight in the question of her re-election.

“This election is about fiscal responsibility,” she said.

But she is defining fiscal responsibility narrowly.

 ”My personal [financial] experience is not what this particular election is about,” she emphasizes.

Except for the parts where it is.

“There was not a candidate up here who has managed a municipal budget or state budget or anything,” Richardson asserts, contrasting her opponents resumes with her experience with the school board, city council and state assembly.

“I understand fiscal policy,” Richardson continues, and she’s on a bit of a roll now. “Why? Because I went to school. Because I took classes. I learned and I saw the things we needed to do. So this is about what is happening in America. It’s about what, as members of congress, what can we do to take these experiences. Here in our community alone we have over 30,000 people who are facing this situation. So what can I do to take that information, the things I’ve learned, and create legislation? And that’s what I’m about doing, and that’s what voters want to know about: What are you prepared to do, what information do you have, and how qualified are you to help? That’s why I was elected overwhelmingly.”

And after you elect her again, then she’ll explain all that other stuff.

Tags: 37th Congressional District, defaults, June Pouesi, laura richardson, Lee Davis, long beach city college, Peter Mathews