July 18, 2011 – The nation’s budget deficit did not keep U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi from a fundraiser Friday night at Marina City’s Smith & Wollensky.

It was uncertain if Pelosi (left) would attend, or if the event would be held at all, due to ongoing negotiations over the deficit that threatened to keep her in Washington, D.C. on Friday.

The event, hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was closed to news media and DCCC communications director Jennifer Crider refused to comment on who attended.

On Monday, she told Marina City Online, “As you can see from Google searches, we don’t do press about individual DCCC fundraisers.”

Crider was unapologetic about her lack of communication, telling MCO, “I’ve successfully done this job for 15 years. At the Committee for the past five years.”

According to an employee of Smith & Wollensky who did not want to be identified, Pelosi did attend the fundraiser, along with Tammy Duckworth, who announced on July 6 that she is running for Congress, hoping to represent the 8th district in Illinois.

An invitation to the event said eight U.S. Representatives from Illinois districts – including 7th District representative Danny Davis – were scheduled to appear. The list also included DCCC chairman Steve Israel and at least five Chicago lawyers who specialize in personal injury.

Ticket prices ranged from $2,500 per person to $30,800 per couple.