Prosecutors allege Rep. Duncan Hunter spent campaign money on five 'personal relationships'

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves the federal courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in San Diego, Calif. after pleading not guilty to charges of illegally using his campaign account for personal expenses. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/TNS) less U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves the federal courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in San Diego, Calif. after pleading not guilty to charges of illegally using his campaign account for personal expenses. (Irfan ... more Photo: Irfan Khan / TNS Photo: Irfan Khan / TNS Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Prosecutors allege Rep. Duncan Hunter spent campaign money on five 'personal relationships' 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R. - Calif.), who represents inland San Diego County, allegedly spent a substantial amount of campaign money on five individuals with whom the congressman was in "personal relationships."

The spending, according to a 47-page federal criminal indictment released late last month, includes charges for hotel stays, car rentals, and restaurant and golf club tabs while Hunter spent time with the individuals. According to defense attorney Gregory Vega, the prosecutor has photographic proof of these "relationships."

In August, Hunter and his wife, Margaret, were indicted on 60 charges stemming from an alleged misuse of $250,000 in campaign funds. They have been accused of wire fraud, conspiracy, falsifying records and campaign finance violations.

The pair, who have pleaded not guilty, reportedly spent the cash on vacations and restaurant bills.

Vega wrote in an August letter to the Justice Department that the charges the prosecutors are pursuing are vague, and constitute "conduct that falls into gray areas of civil election law," according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"This is true even for personal indiscretions of the congressman that the prosecutors seem intent on charging," Vega wrote. "The supposed reason given for including these details is that they reflect spending of campaign funds for extramarital infidelities and excessive drinking."

Addressing the photographs in the letter, Vega added, "While there may be evidence of infidelity, irresponsibility or alcohol dependence, once properly understood, the underlying facts do not equate to criminal activity."

But the indictment is rather detailed. The five individuals are not identified, but are rather referred to as "Individuals" 14-18. They are all noted to have had "lived in the Washington D.C. area and had personal relationships with Duncan Hunter" as far back as 2010, a year after Hunter took office, according to the Union-Tribune.

Charges paid for with campaign funds include a rental car and a pricy hotel stay at Lake Tahoe with one individual, drinks and entertainment with two additional individuals in Washington D.C. and Virginia, and a number of Uber rides to and from the homes of two other people.

There is, additionally, another person, identified in the indictment as Individual 7, with whom Hunter's wife Margaret is friends. Duncan Hunter and Individual 7 allegedly spent time together in 2016 — without Margaret — at Busboys and Poets (a restaurant-lounge and theater) in Washington D.C. and at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel while Individual 7 was visiting. The hotel charge amounted to $865.63, and was paid for by campaign funds.

Hunter has previously pointed blame at his wife for any improper accounting, telling Fox News that she handled the campaign money. Later, however, he told reporters to "leave my wife out of it."

Both Duncan and Margaret Hunter are due in court Tuesday.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

