In August of 2018, Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) was indicted on charges of using campaign funds for personal use. Despite the arrest, Hunter was able to defeat Ammar Campa-Najjar and retain his seat in California’s 50th District.
Hunter is now facing trial for his alleged crimes. The Department of Justice has begun to present their evidence against the Republican Congressman. On Monday, prosecutors claimed that Hunter not only carried on 5 different affairs, but he did so utilizing campaign funds.
USA Today’s Brad Heath provided some details on the alleged affairs. Heath tweeted, “DOJ says Hunter took a lobbyist skiing near Lake Tahoe, and charged it to his campaign. Prosecutors said their relationship ‘blossomed beyond a mere friendship.’ They say he even charged the campaign for his $7 Sam Adams when he arrived in Tahoe.”
DOJ says @rep_hunter took a lobbyist skiing near Lake Tahoe, and charged it to his campaign. Prosecutors said their relationship "blossomed beyond a mere friendship." They say he even charged the campaign for his $7 Sam Adams when he arrived in Tahoe. pic.twitter.com/PswO6AdlDB
— Brad Heath (@bradheath) June 25, 2019
The USA Today Editor also wrote, “DOJ says Rep. Hunter used campaign money to take another woman, a House aide with whom he had been intimate, for drinks. Then he charged the campaign $21 for an Uber back to his office at 1:49 a.m.”
DOJ says Rep. Hunter used campaign money to take another woman, a House aide with whom he had been intimate, for drinks. Then he charged the campaign $21 for an Uber back to his office at 1:49 a.m. pic.twitter.com/YQec4d0Lk3
— Brad Heath (@bradheath) June 25, 2019
It has been a very bad Month for Hunter. Last week, his wife Margaret pled guilty to misusing donor funds. She told the court, “I am saddened for the hurt I have caused my family and others. I understand that there will be more consequences stemming from my actions but, as demonstrated by my plea today, I have taken the first step to face them.”
Duncan Hunter’s lawyers have argued that the charges are politically motivated and should be thrown out. Their attempts have, thus far, been unsuccessful.