SAN DIEGO _ Rep. Duncan Hunter began living with a woman other than his wife early in his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, one of a series of personal intimate relationships prosecutors say he began with lobbyists and congressional staffers during his elected service.
In a sweeping series of court filings this week, the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego accuses the six-term California Republican of engaging in a litany of extramarital affairs and paying for some of them with campaign funds while serving in Congress.
Hunter's initial relationship with a woman who was not his wife began in April 2009, prosecutors say, three months after he took over the congressional seat previously held by his father, also named Duncan Hunter. Soon the newly elected congressman moved in with a lobbyist who is identified in court papers as Individual 14.
"The two began to socialize and spent time together with the same close-knit group of friends," the filing from late Monday states. "Their relationship soon blossomed beyond a mere friendship.
"Although the pair kept their romance under wraps, taking care not to be seen together in public, they found excuses for occasional outings or getaways together," the motion added. "As their relationship grew more serious, Hunter began living with I-14 at her D.C. area home."
Both Duncan and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were indicted in August 2018 on 60 criminal counts of misusing more than $250,000 in campaign donations. Two weeks ago, Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy and agreed to testify against her husband.
Duncan Hunter's criminal defense lawyer, former U.S. Attorney Gregory Vega, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Previously, Hunter has denied infidelity and said the case against him is politically motivated by biased federal prosecutors.
The assertions this week are the first time federal prosecutors have publicly accused Rep. Hunter of engaging in extramarital affairs.
The indictment issued last summer included numerous details implying that the congressman was not faithful to his wife of 21 years, but it stopped short of alleging serial philandering. Rather, "Individuals 14 through 18" were said to have had personal relationships with the congressman.
The 12-page motion filed Monday cites multiple examples of Hunter engaging in affairs and allegedly using political contributions to finance them.
"Hunter spent $905 in campaign funds to pay for the hotel bar tab and room he shared with I-14 that weekend" in Virginia Beach, the filing stated. Later, "they paid the $455 hotel bill, for all three nights, using campaign funds."
The motion alleging infidelity by the congressman was one of more than 15 filings posted on the court docket Monday.
Hunter's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 10. He is due in court Monday for a hearing to consider legal arguments from prosecutors and the defense.
