California congressman and his wife spent $ 250 on thousands of government funds

Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter and his wife Margaret regularly and illegally used campaign funds to pay personal bills: from luxury vacations to children's school lunches and overdue family dental bills, according to the 47-page indictment.

Photo: facebook.com/DuncanHunter/

Charges of fraud, falsification of records, violations of campaign financing and conspiracy were the culmination of an investigation by the Department of Justice, which lasted more than a year, during which the Republican congressman from California pleaded not guilty.

Federal prosecutors claim that the Hunter family has repeatedly falsified the purpose of their expenses - in one case they bought clothes for playing at the golf course and forged the record for “balls for wounded soldiers,” the indictment says.

It is also envisaged that Duncan Hunter contributed to the “theft of election campaign funds” by sending his treasurer to receive a credit card for his wife at a time when she had no official role.

Then the congressman insisted that his wife become the managing campaign. According to the document, he told the treasurer that the family needed "extra money in the form of her salary."

Prosecutors said Hunter also allowed the alleged theft, "ignoring the numerous warnings by staff of his campaign about the misuse of Margaret Hunter’s funds." He attacked the assistants, the indictment says, accusing them of disloyalty.

The indictment clearly states that the Hunter family was in dire financial straits and could not maintain their lifestyle without using the funds of this campaign.

Photo: facebook.com/DuncanHunter/

The Hunter family outdone their personal bank accounts more than 1100 times in a seven-year period, according to the indictment at the US prosecutor's office in San Diego. As a result, $ 37 761 was charged for overdraft and insufficient funds.

“Because of these misdeeds, as well as notice of unpaid debts and late payments from their children's school, their family dentist, and other creditors, the Hunter family knew that many of the purchases they desired could only be obtained through the use of campaign funds,” it states. in the indictment.

A spokesman for Duncan Hunter said the congressman believes the indictment against him and his wife is "purely political."

Hunter was one of the founders of Trump's caucuses in the House during the 2016 campaign and, together with Rep. Chris Collins, was the first of two congressmen to endorse Trump's candidacy for the presidency of February 2016.

Where did the money go

Hunter's credit card allowed the family to go on vacation, which they could not afford, according to an indictment filed in a federal court in San Diego on Tuesday.

Investigators found that Margaret Hunter was hiding her whereabouts by buying tickets for her personal holidays using sites like Expedia. Campaign trips include family holidays in Italy at Thanksgiving for a total of more than $ 14 000; April vacation in Hawaii worth $ 6500; a trip to Las Vegas and Boise for $ 3700 in July 2015.

In addition to family travel, fast food and gourmet restaurants have been added, as well as places like the Del Mar Racetrack. The Hunter family also spent thousands of dollars on regular personal purchases at Costco ($ 11), Walmart (more than $ 300), Barnes & Noble, Target and Michael's craft store.

On one trip to Target, Margaret Hunter spent more than $300 in campaign funds on “a tablecloth, three square pillows, three tassels, a metal tray, four window panels, a white duck,” court documents state. She described the purchases as essential supplies for "teachers/parents and supporters."

Hunter repeatedly dodged the treasurer's inquiries about his expenses and his wife’s expenses. For example, they spent almost $ 2 000 on a birthday present for a family member. When his treasurer asked if the score was linked to the campaign, the congressman gave a short answer: “Yes, sir.”

When the treasurer threatened to resign, Hunter promised that he would forbid his wife to use the campaign’s credit card and put her in a safe place.

The indictment stresses that the Hunter family also used money to advertise, to entertain friends, family members, and others, many of whom are not listed in court documents.

Hunter's lawyers said that "some mistakes were made, but they were strictly unintended."

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