REP. HUNTER SPENT VIRTUALLY ALL OF HIS RECENT CAMPAIGN DONATIONS ON LEGAL FEES

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By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Amid investigations by the F.B.I. and Justice Department, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) has raised $155,625 for his 2018 campaign—and spent nearly all of it ($152,859) on legal fees, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Rep. Hunter owes an additional $114,412 to seven law firms in Washington D.C. and San Diego, for a total of $335,664 in legal expenses this reporting period.  Earlier this year, he spent another $69,393 in legal fees.

After media reports exposed he spent campaign funds on personal expenses such as dental care, trips to Europe, jewelry and video games., Hunter denied wrongdoing but did repay his campaign over $62,000. His questionable expenditures prompted the ongoing criminal investigation.

Although it’s legal to spend campaign funds on attorneys to defend against allegations of campaign-related wrongdoing or actions related to his official conduct, the actions raise ethical and practical considerations.

“Hunter is in huge trouble,” Ammar Campa-Najir, one of Hunter’s Democratic opponents, posted on Facebook.

 “He's cost his donors close to $400k with his recklessness,” said Najir, adding, “What fiscally responsible conservative would ever give a dime to him now?”

Similar diversion of large campaign sums for personal use have arrested in recent criminal charges and convictions of other Congressional members. 

Morgan Cook, the San Diego Union-Tribune reporter who relentlessly reported Hunter’s odd expenditures, was honored as Journalist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists for her investigative reporting on Hunter.

ECM has sent the following questions to Rep. Hunter and will publish responses if received:

  • How does Rep. Hunter justify to campaign donors the fact that virtually his entire campaign war chest raised in the last few months is now gone, spent on legal fees? 
  • How does Rep. Hunter intend to fund a viable campaign for 2018?
  • Does he believe it’s ethical to use all of his campaign donations on legal fees, without advising donors in advance that this is what will happen to their money?

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