NEW ORLEANS – The current representative for Louisiana's Second Congressional District is suing a political rival due to his alleged ineligibility for the Nov. 4 primary election.
U.S. Rep. Cedric L. Richmond filed suit against Rufus H. Johnson and Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Richmond claims that on Aug. 22, 2014, Johnson filed a notice of candidacy in order to qualify for the office of United States Representative for Louisiana's Second Congressional District.
The petition states that Louisiana Election Law requires candidates for public office to certify they do not owe any outstanding fines or fees pursuant to the Code of Governmental Ethics.
Richmond asserts that Johnson signed a certification confirming this even though he owed $2,040 in fines and fees to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Johnson's penalties were allegedly a result of late filing. Six different campaign finance disclosure reports in connection with his previous runs for public office in 1999 and 2003 were filed between one and 13 days past their deadlines, according to Richmond.
The defendant is accused of making a false statement under oath and of willful and repeated campaign finance violations including repeated failure to pay outstanding campaign finance fines and fees.
The plaintiff seeks to have the defendant disqualified from candidacy for the office of United States Representative for the Second Congressional District.
Cedric L. Richmond is represented by attorneys Ernest L. Jones and Ike Spears.
The case has been assigned to District D Judge Lloyd J. Medley.
Case no. 2014-08508.
Congressman Cedric Richmond sues would-be candidate Rufus Johnson, claims Johnson is ineligible for Nov. 4 primary election
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