Former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R) was sentenced on March 17 to 11 months in prison for using campaign funds for personal expenses.
The United States Justice Department began an investigation into the potential misuse of campaign funds by Hunter in March 2017. The House Ethics Committee alleged that Hunter “may have converted tens of thousands of dollars of campaign funds from his congressional campaign committee to personal use to pay for family travel, flights, utilities, health care, school uniforms and tuition, jewelry, groceries, and other goods, services, and expenses.”
In June 2019, Hunter’s wife pleaded guilty to knowingly and willingly using campaign funds with her husband for their family’s benefit, agreeing to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Federal prosecutors accused Hunter of using campaign funds for extramarital affairs with five women, including an aide. Hunter pleaded guilty to using $200,000 of campaign funds for personal expenses on December 3, 2019.
Hunter announced that he would resign from the U.S. House on December 6, 2019. He submitted his letter of resignation to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on January 7, 2020.
California’s 50th Congressional District remains vacant. The seat will be filled in January 2021 following the regular election set to take place on November 3. Ammar Campa-Najjar (D) and Darrell Issa (R) advanced from the district’s top-two primary on March 3.
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