Duncan D. Hunter, Campaign Funds Theft, California 2019

San Diego, California - In a shocking turn of events, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter pleaded guilty in federal court today to the major count in his indictment, admitting that he knowingly and willfully stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds that he and his wife used to maintain their lifestyle.

According to the plea agreement, Hunter and his wife, Margaret, who pleaded guilty in June 2019, illegally converted more than $150,000 in campaign funds from 2010 through 2016 to purchase goods and services for their personal use and enjoyment, and engaged in 30 or more illegal transactions using campaign funds for personal use.

As detailed in the indictment, the Hunters stole money from the campaign for items as inconsequential as fast food, movie tickets and sneakers; as trivial as video games, Lego sets and Playdoh; as mundane as groceries, dog food, and utilities; and as self-indulgent as luxury hotels, overseas vacations and plane tickets for their family pet rabbits, Eggburt and Cadbury – all while their family was otherwise deeply in debt.

“Congressman Duncan D. Hunter violated the trust of his supporters by diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars they donated in good faith to his reelection campaign for personal expenditures,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney David Leshner.

U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan set Mr. Hunter’s sentencing for March 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

“Congressman Hunter was indicted—and he pled guilty today—because of his own misconduct, and no one else’s,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Halpern said: “The foundation of our legal system is based upon the proposition that no one individual is above the law, regardless of the heights they've reached, how much they've contributed, or what office they occupy.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/congressman-duncan-d-hunter-pleads-guilty-stealing-campaign-funds