After graduating from apprenticeship (secondary vocational school without matriculation) in 1973 he worked as a technical and economic worker in the company CALEX Zlaté Moravce until 1987.

At Calex he was an active member and chairman of the Socialist Youth Union in and at the same time, since 1975, a candidate of the Communist Party of Slovakia.

Between 1999 and 2007 he completed his bachelor's and master's studies at the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and eventually obtained a doctorate in law.

Ján Richter was not wearing a seatbelt during the accident and suffered spinal injuries (second cervical vertebra) and fractured ribs, from which he recovered for several weeks.

The reason for the dismissals was the case of the Galanta resocialization facility Čistý den (English: Clean Day), in the investigation of which Richter was supposed to have failed as a minister.