Rep. Duncan Hunter, who is under investigation by the Justice Department over alleged campaign finance violations, denied any wrongdoing. | Getty Hunter under criminal investigation for alleged campaign finance violations

Rep. Duncan Hunter is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department over alleged campaign finance violations, the House Ethics Committee announced Thursday.

The California Republican spent tens of thousands of dollars' worth of campaign funds on items that appear to be personal in nature during 2015 and 2016, according to records from Hunter's campaign — a potential violation of House rules and federal law. The funds were spent on groceries and outdoor equipment, a dentist, a nail salon and a utility company, as well as on a hotel in Italy and at the Arizona Grand Resort.


Although Hunter later repaid nearly $60,000 to his campaign following news reports detailing the questionable spending, the Office of Congressional Ethics began a probe into the case.

In August, OCE recommended that the Ethics Committee begin a full-scale investigation into Hunter. Only the Ethics Committee can sanction a member or staffer for rules violations.

But the Justice Department has now asked the Ethics Committee to hold off on any action against Hunter because of its own criminal probe into the lawmaker, according to a statement from Reps. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), the chairwoman and ranking member of the panel.

"The Department of Justice has asked the Committee to defer consideration of this matter and the Committee, following precedent, unanimously voted on March 22, 2017, to defer consideration of this matter at this time," said the statement.

Hunter's attorney said the California Republican had done nothing wrong and that any improper use of campaign funds was "inadvertent and unintentional."

“Last year, Congressman Hunter became aware of expenditure issues confronting his campaign committee. Out of an abundance of caution, he took corrective action in consultation with the [Federal Election Commission] and, ultimately, he and his wife personally repaid the campaign approximately $60,000," said Elliot Berke and Gregory Vega, in a statement.

"Congressman Hunter intends to cooperate fully with the government on this investigation, and maintains that to the extent any mistakes were made they were strictly inadvertent and unintentional.”

