HUNTER DUMPS LEGAL TEAM

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2019 (Alpine) – Indicted Congressman Duncan D. Hunter has fired his three trial attorneys a month before his federal corruption trial is slated to begin Jan. 22.  Hunter wants former District Attorney Paul Pfingst to represent him – but now the U.S. Attorney is asking the court to disqualify Pfingst over a conflict of interest since Pfingst’s law firm  (Higgs, Fletcher & Mack) represented witnesses who testified to the grand jury that later indicted Hunter.

Since those witnesses continue to be represented by Pfingst’s firm and are likely to be called as witnesses at Hunter’s trial and cross-examined by Pfingst, a motion filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office states, “Such joint representation by a single law firm of both a defendant and adverse witnesses in the same criminal case presents a textbook conflict of interest and that is anathema to the fair administration of justice.”

It is unclear whether Hunter fired his other attorneys due to his financial difficulties or for other reasons.  

The motion to force Pfingst off the case could further delay Hunter’s trial, which is currently apt to conclude shortly before voters begin casting ballots by mail in the 50th Congressional district.  

Hunter has insisted he intends to run for reelection despite failing to get the endorsement of the San Diego County Republican Party and facing at least three other prominent Republican candidates who are waging vigorous campaign for the primary election March 3rd.  The deadline to formally file to run is in mid-December.

The other Republicans are State Senator Brian Jones, retired Congressman Darrell Issa, and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio.  Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar has a well-funded campaign coffer and independent Helen Horvath is also actively campaigning.

As long as Hunter remains a declared candidate, he is legally allowed to spend his campaign donations on his legal defense.  However his donations have all but dried up in recent weeks.

Hunter and his wife are accused of spending over a quarter million dollars in campaign contributions on a lavish personal lifestyle as well as falsifying federal campaign finance reporters to cover up the misallocation of funds.  Hunter repaid some $60,000 to his campaign and his wife, Margaret, has pled guilty to a single count; she is cooperating with prosecutors and slated for sentencing April 13.

Hunter has pleaded not guilty and claims he is the victim of a partisan witch hunt.