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| The Indictment of Duncan Hunter, Explained | The Indictment of Duncan Hunter, Explained |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Representative Duncan Hunter, Republican of California, and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were indicted on Tuesday, accused of spending more than $250,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses — including a vacation to Italy, family dental bills and plane tickets for a pet — and then lying to the Federal Election Commission. | |
| The 48-page indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in San Diego, alleges a pattern of illegal behavior between 2009 and 2016 and makes Mr. Hunter, 41, the second Republican member of Congress to be indicted on corruption charges this month. | The 48-page indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in San Diego, alleges a pattern of illegal behavior between 2009 and 2016 and makes Mr. Hunter, 41, the second Republican member of Congress to be indicted on corruption charges this month. |
| The first was Representative Chris Collins of New York, who was indicted on charges of insider trading. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Collins were the first members of Congress to endorse the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump. | The first was Representative Chris Collins of New York, who was indicted on charges of insider trading. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Collins were the first members of Congress to endorse the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump. |
| On Wednesday, Mr. Hunter said he believed the indictment was a politically motivated attack. | On Wednesday, Mr. Hunter said he believed the indictment was a politically motivated attack. |
| “This is the new Department of Justice,” he told a television news reporter. “This is the Democrats’ arm of law enforcement. That’s what’s happening right now, and it’s happening with Trump and it’s happening with me.” | “This is the new Department of Justice,” he told a television news reporter. “This is the Democrats’ arm of law enforcement. That’s what’s happening right now, and it’s happening with Trump and it’s happening with me.” |
| Here are some of the accusations from the indictment of Mr. Hunter. | Here are some of the accusations from the indictment of Mr. Hunter. |
| The indictment lays out the context within which prosecutors claim Mr. Hunter and his wife “illegally converted and stole more than $250,000 in Campaign funds to purchase goods and services for their personal use and enjoyment.” | The indictment lays out the context within which prosecutors claim Mr. Hunter and his wife “illegally converted and stole more than $250,000 in Campaign funds to purchase goods and services for their personal use and enjoyment.” |
| Prosecutors said the two were reckless spenders, living beyond their means and racking up steep debts before deciding to use the campaign’s bank account. | Prosecutors said the two were reckless spenders, living beyond their means and racking up steep debts before deciding to use the campaign’s bank account. |
| 16. Throughout the relevant period, the HUNTERS spent substantially more than they earned. They overdrew their bank account more than 1,100 times in a seven-year period resulting in approximately $37,761 in “overdraft” and “insufficient funds” bank fees. Their credit cards were frequently charged to the credit limit, often with five-figure balances, resulting in approximately $24,600 in finance charges, interest, and other fees related to late, over the limit, and returned payment fees. | 16. Throughout the relevant period, the HUNTERS spent substantially more than they earned. They overdrew their bank account more than 1,100 times in a seven-year period resulting in approximately $37,761 in “overdraft” and “insufficient funds” bank fees. Their credit cards were frequently charged to the credit limit, often with five-figure balances, resulting in approximately $24,600 in finance charges, interest, and other fees related to late, over the limit, and returned payment fees. |
| 17. By virtue of these delinquencies — as well as notifications of outstanding debts and overdue payments from their children’s school, their family dentist, and other creditors the HUNTERS knew that many of their desired purchases could only be made by using Campaign funds. | 17. By virtue of these delinquencies — as well as notifications of outstanding debts and overdue payments from their children’s school, their family dentist, and other creditors the HUNTERS knew that many of their desired purchases could only be made by using Campaign funds. |
| Prosecutors said the Hunters spent campaign funds on expensive family vacations. | Prosecutors said the Hunters spent campaign funds on expensive family vacations. |
| 47) On or about October 22 to 24, 2011, in Los Angeles, California and elsewhere, the HUNTERS spent $432.81 in Campaign funds for a family vacation centered on a family member’s participation in a dance competition. | 47) On or about October 22 to 24, 2011, in Los Angeles, California and elsewhere, the HUNTERS spent $432.81 in Campaign funds for a family vacation centered on a family member’s participation in a dance competition. |
| 48) On or about October 24, 2011, in San Diego, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $344.56 in Campaign funds at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to rent a vehicle so that he could drive from Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”) for a family member’s dance competition in Orange County. | 48) On or about October 24, 2011, in San Diego, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $344.56 in Campaign funds at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to rent a vehicle so that he could drive from Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”) for a family member’s dance competition in Orange County. |
| In the fall of 2015, the family went to Italy, where they tried to use the United States Navy to justify their spending, prosecutors said. When that failed, prosecutors claim Mr. Hunter — a former Marine — had sharp words for the military. | In the fall of 2015, the family went to Italy, where they tried to use the United States Navy to justify their spending, prosecutors said. When that failed, prosecutors claim Mr. Hunter — a former Marine — had sharp words for the military. |
| On or about November 19 to 29, 2015, the HUNTERS spent $14,261.33 (including airfare) in Campaign funds to pay for a family vacation to Italy. | On or about November 19 to 29, 2015, the HUNTERS spent $14,261.33 (including airfare) in Campaign funds to pay for a family vacation to Italy. |
| On or about November 23, 2015, in an attempt to justify the use of Campaign funds to pay for the family’s trip to Italy, DUNCAN HUNTER attempted to set up a day tour of a U.S. naval facility in Italy. After Navy officials responded that they could only provide a tour on a particular date, DUNCAN HUNTER said he would discuss the proposed date with MARGARET HUNTER, then subsequently told his Chief of Staff, “tell the navy to go f*** themselves [no alteration in original],” and no tour occurred. | On or about November 23, 2015, in an attempt to justify the use of Campaign funds to pay for the family’s trip to Italy, DUNCAN HUNTER attempted to set up a day tour of a U.S. naval facility in Italy. After Navy officials responded that they could only provide a tour on a particular date, DUNCAN HUNTER said he would discuss the proposed date with MARGARET HUNTER, then subsequently told his Chief of Staff, “tell the navy to go f*** themselves [no alteration in original],” and no tour occurred. |
| Earlier that year they went to Hawaii, where they again mentioned the armed forces as part of the reason for the trip. | Earlier that year they went to Hawaii, where they again mentioned the armed forces as part of the reason for the trip. |
| This allegation appears to reference the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity for service members and veterans. Prosecutors said Mrs. Hunter advised her husband to claim that his spending was actually a charitable donation. | This allegation appears to reference the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity for service members and veterans. Prosecutors said Mrs. Hunter advised her husband to claim that his spending was actually a charitable donation. |
| 116) On or about March 20, 2015, when DUNCAN HUNTER told MARGARET HUNTER that he was planning “to buy my Hawaii shorts” but had run out of money, she counseled him to buy the shorts at a golf pro shop so that they could falsely describe the purchase later as “some [golf] balls for the wounded warriors.” | 116) On or about March 20, 2015, when DUNCAN HUNTER told MARGARET HUNTER that he was planning “to buy my Hawaii shorts” but had run out of money, she counseled him to buy the shorts at a golf pro shop so that they could falsely describe the purchase later as “some [golf] balls for the wounded warriors.” |
| 119) On or about April 7, 2015, in Lahaina, Hawaii, the HUNTERS spent $6,288.74 in Campaign funds at the Aston Kaanapali Shores resort to pay for a family vacation. | 119) On or about April 7, 2015, in Lahaina, Hawaii, the HUNTERS spent $6,288.74 in Campaign funds at the Aston Kaanapali Shores resort to pay for a family vacation. |
| Prosecutors said the Hunters also used campaign funds to spend lavishly on gifts, meals and vacations for their friends and relatives. | Prosecutors said the Hunters also used campaign funds to spend lavishly on gifts, meals and vacations for their friends and relatives. |
| 121) On or about April 20, 2015, MARGARET HUNTER spent $995.50 in Campaign funds at United Airlines to buy tickets for her mother and her mother’s boyfriend to fly to Warsaw, Poland. MARGARET HUNTER falsely told the Treasurer that they were related to Campaign trips to New Orleans and Kentucky. | 121) On or about April 20, 2015, MARGARET HUNTER spent $995.50 in Campaign funds at United Airlines to buy tickets for her mother and her mother’s boyfriend to fly to Warsaw, Poland. MARGARET HUNTER falsely told the Treasurer that they were related to Campaign trips to New Orleans and Kentucky. |
| 102) On or about October 22, 2014, in San Diego, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $204.34 in Campaign funds for two greens fees, food, and drinks at the Rancho Bernardo Golf Resort, during a personal golf outing with friends, including Individual lA. To conceal and disguise his illegal activity, he misled his Chief of Staff by describing his regular golf outing with Individual IA as “a Christian thing” with a supporter. | 102) On or about October 22, 2014, in San Diego, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $204.34 in Campaign funds for two greens fees, food, and drinks at the Rancho Bernardo Golf Resort, during a personal golf outing with friends, including Individual lA. To conceal and disguise his illegal activity, he misled his Chief of Staff by describing his regular golf outing with Individual IA as “a Christian thing” with a supporter. |
| The indictment accuses Mrs. Hunter of using a 2012 meeting of the National Republican Congressional Committee as a cover to buy plane tickets for at least four of her relatives. | The indictment accuses Mrs. Hunter of using a 2012 meeting of the National Republican Congressional Committee as a cover to buy plane tickets for at least four of her relatives. |
| 54) On or about January 12, 2012, in Alpine, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $918.60 in Campaign funds at Expedia to fly her sister and two other family members to a funeral in Tucson. To conceal and disguise the illegal charges, she falsely told the Treasurer that they were for a “flight to Baltimore for NRCC winter meeting.” | 54) On or about January 12, 2012, in Alpine, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $918.60 in Campaign funds at Expedia to fly her sister and two other family members to a funeral in Tucson. To conceal and disguise the illegal charges, she falsely told the Treasurer that they were for a “flight to Baltimore for NRCC winter meeting.” |
| 55) On or about January 22, 2012, MARGARET HUNTER spent $504.20 in Campaign funds to buy a roundtrip United Airlines ticket for her mother from San Diego to Chicago. To conceal and disguise the illegal charge, she falsely told the Treasurer that they were for a “flight to Baltimore for NRCC winter meeting.” | 55) On or about January 22, 2012, MARGARET HUNTER spent $504.20 in Campaign funds to buy a roundtrip United Airlines ticket for her mother from San Diego to Chicago. To conceal and disguise the illegal charge, she falsely told the Treasurer that they were for a “flight to Baltimore for NRCC winter meeting.” |
| The Hunters even used campaign funds to buy plane tickets for a family pet so it could come on vacation with them, prosecutors say. (Reports indicate that the pet in question is a rabbit.) | The Hunters even used campaign funds to buy plane tickets for a family pet so it could come on vacation with them, prosecutors say. (Reports indicate that the pet in question is a rabbit.) |
| 98) On or about July 9, 2014, the HUNTERS spent $250 in Campaign funds at United Airlines to fly a family pet to Washington, D.C. for a family vacation. | 98) On or about July 9, 2014, the HUNTERS spent $250 in Campaign funds at United Airlines to fly a family pet to Washington, D.C. for a family vacation. |
| But many of the expenses outlined in the indictment point to a family struggling with debt and straining to maintain an upper middle class lifestyle. | But many of the expenses outlined in the indictment point to a family struggling with debt and straining to maintain an upper middle class lifestyle. |
| Prosecutors said the Hunters used some of the money to buy creature comforts. | Prosecutors said the Hunters used some of the money to buy creature comforts. |
| 75) On or about December 4, 2012, in San Diego, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $145.46 in Campaign funds at Bloomingdale’s to purchase cosmetics for personal use. | 75) On or about December 4, 2012, in San Diego, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $145.46 in Campaign funds at Bloomingdale’s to purchase cosmetics for personal use. |
| 82) On or about June 17, 2013, in El Cajon, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $163.53 in Campaign funds at Best Buy to purchase a pair of sports headphones for his personal use. At this time, the HUNTER family bank account had a negative balance and incurred three insufficient funds fees (totaling $102). | 82) On or about June 17, 2013, in El Cajon, California, DUNCAN HUNTER spent $163.53 in Campaign funds at Best Buy to purchase a pair of sports headphones for his personal use. At this time, the HUNTER family bank account had a negative balance and incurred three insufficient funds fees (totaling $102). |
| But prosecutors said the family also spent campaign funds to keep their heads above water, using some of the money to keep their utilities from being shut off and to partially pay off overdue dental bills and tuition payments for their children. | But prosecutors said the family also spent campaign funds to keep their heads above water, using some of the money to keep their utilities from being shut off and to partially pay off overdue dental bills and tuition payments for their children. |
| According to the indictment, Mrs. Hunter claimed much of that money had been given to charity, including Smiles for Life, which helps underprivileged children receive dental care. | According to the indictment, Mrs. Hunter claimed much of that money had been given to charity, including Smiles for Life, which helps underprivileged children receive dental care. |
| 7) On or about August 5, 2015, in La Mesa, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $700 in Campaign funds at a local dentist to continue to pay down the family's overdue balance. In order to conceal and disguise this illegal payment, she told the Treasurer that part of the payment was a charitable contribution for "Smiles for Life." | 7) On or about August 5, 2015, in La Mesa, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $700 in Campaign funds at a local dentist to continue to pay down the family's overdue balance. In order to conceal and disguise this illegal payment, she told the Treasurer that part of the payment was a charitable contribution for "Smiles for Life." |
| 138) On or about August 8, 2015, in Alpine, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $300 in Campaign funds at the local water utility after the utility threatened to discontinue the HUNTERS' water service due to unpaid bills. | 138) On or about August 8, 2015, in Alpine, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $300 in Campaign funds at the local water utility after the utility threatened to discontinue the HUNTERS' water service due to unpaid bills. |
| 139) On or about August 12, 2015, in El Cajon, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $3,500 in Campaign funds to pay the family's tuition bill at Christian Unified Schools- one of three different dates in 2015 that MARGARET HUNTER spent a total of $6,150 in Campaign funds to pay tuition. To conceal and disguise these illegal payments, the HUNTERS provided a number of conflicting explanations, including that the payments were charitable contributions. | 139) On or about August 12, 2015, in El Cajon, California, MARGARET HUNTER spent $3,500 in Campaign funds to pay the family's tuition bill at Christian Unified Schools- one of three different dates in 2015 that MARGARET HUNTER spent a total of $6,150 in Campaign funds to pay tuition. To conceal and disguise these illegal payments, the HUNTERS provided a number of conflicting explanations, including that the payments were charitable contributions. |