Temecula Lawmaker, Wife Indicted For Misuse Of Campaign Funds

TEMECULA, CA – Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Alpine, and his wife, Margaret, were indicted Tuesday for allegedly misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds and filing false campaign finance records.

Hunter and his wife were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they allegedly used more than $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including multiple family vacations, school tuition, dental bills, theater tickets, and domestic and international travel for almost a dozen relatives. The indictment also accuses them of filing false campaign finance records with the Federal Election Commission.

A 48-page indictment details "scores of instances" between 2009 and 2016 in which the couple used campaign funds to pay for "personal expenses that they could not otherwise afford," according to federal prosecutors. Other personal expenses the pair allegedly covered with campaign funds include fast food, movie tickets, golf outings, video games, coffee, groceries, home utilities and expensive meals.

The couple misreported the expenses on filings with the Federal Election Commission, using false descriptions such as campaign travel, dinner with volunteers and contributors, toy drives, teacher, parent and supporter events, gift cards for charitable donations, and gift basket items, according to federal prosecutors. Family dental bills allegedly paid with campaign funds were characterized as a charitable contribution to Smiles for Life, while theater tickets were characterized as holiday gift certificates.

"The indictment alleges that Congressman Hunter and his wife repeatedly dipped into campaign coffers as if they were personal bank accounts, and falsified FEC campaign finance reports to cover their tracks," U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said in a statement. "Elected representatives should jealously guard the public's trust, not abuse their positions for personal gain. Today's indictment is a reminder that no one is above the law."

Following more than a yearlong Department of Justice investigation, the Hunters were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, falsifying records and campaign finance violations. They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning in federal court in San Diego.

Hunter represents California's 50th Congressional District, which includes Temecula.

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