A recent report in Politico delved into the drinking habits of Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, who is under federal criminal investigation for alleged personal use of campaign contributions. Officials are not supposed to use political contributions for personal benefit, to guard against undue influence by donors.

U-T Watchdog decided to review reported campaign spending with an eye toward visits to bars and restaurants that market their bar prominently.

A review of records that Hunter’s campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission between March 2008 and November 2017 shows at least 301 transactions totaling $138,666 at bars, cigar lounges, liquor stores, bar-dominant restaurants and similar businesses. Of those transactions, 247 charges totaling $123,786 were made at establishments in Washington, D.C.


Of the 247 transactions Hunter’s campaign reported at Washington, D.C. bars, pubs and similar businesses, about 30 percent of the charges were less than $100 — unlikely to be a largescale political event like a fundraiser.

Of the 72 charges below $100 at Washington, D.C. bars, almost half were at Bullfeathers, which has a reputation as a popular hang-out for lobbyists, next to House office buildings.

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Some were popular political haunts near House office buildings or around Washington D.C. while others were in the Gaslamp Quarter or other parts of San Diego. Records show where the money was spent and when the charges went through, but do not specify how much was spent on food, drinks, gratuity, catering services, dining room rental or other expenses.


One regular haunt for Hunter has been the Capitol Hill Club, a staple in House politics, especially among Republicans. FEC records show that between March 12, 2008 and Oct. 18, 2017, Hunter’s campaign reported making 126 payments totaling $105,352 to the Capitol Hill Club. Other establishments were also reoccurring haunts.

The Capitol Hill Club is largely a destination for members of Congress, their staffs, committee members and lobbyists, but is also occasionally frequented by Democrats as well, said Jason Roe, a San Diego political consultant who has a lifetime membership at the club and previously served on its board.

“It’s kind of the off-campus hangout for everyone on Capitol Hill. It’s just a couple blocks from the Democratic club, which is pretty similar,” Roe said by phone.

It has a large dining room, a lounge, and in its basement, a busy bar and grill. There are also around a dozen upstairs meeting rooms that are popular place to host fundraisers; there may be five lunchtime events every day, and around 10 each evening. It’s also just around the block from the Republican National Committee, making it particularly convenient, Roe said.


Roe said that members have to pay dues in addition to their tabs at the bar and restaurant. As a legislator who is holding fundraisers with food (the club requires you to use their own catering), Hunter’s expenses seem reasonable, he said.

“When I was a staffer, my tab there was $400 a month, on average, and I was a staffer. So if he’s doing fundraisers and dinners and hosting meetings, that doesn’t sound unreasonable at all to me,” Roe said.

Hunter’s spokesman did not reply to a request for comment for this story. He told Politico, “Any time you walk in [to the Capitol Hill Club], it’s work. That’s why we go there.”

He also told Politico, in response to allegations about his conduct, that he never attended a meeting in Congress when he was under the influence.


Between May 2014 and June 2017 Hunter’s campaign spent $7,968 over 66 visits to Bullfeathers, a restaurant with a long beer list. After the Capitol Hill Club, it was the most his campaign spent at a single establishment. Of the 66 transactions, half were for less than $100, according to the FEC data. The smallest charge was $7 on Aug. 4, 2014.

Records also show that the campaign spent $3,460 over nine visits to Pacifico Cantina, a now-closed Mexican restaurant in a neighborhood near House offices. Records show three other D.C. establishments where the campaign spent at least $1,000.

The campaign spent less in the San Diego area and preferred tobacco lounges (which sell alcohol) over standard restaurants and saloons. The most was spent at the Alpine Tobacco Company Cigar and Wine Bar, with 14 visits totaling $2,326 between December 27, 2013 and April 21, 2017. Another $1,541 went to Excalibur Cigar Lounge in Kearny Mesa over the course of seven visits.

Hunter’s campaign spent $2,854 at Orfila Vineyards in Escondido in one purchase on December 26, 2013, and another $1,446 during nine transactions at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill in El Cajon.


Hunter’s campaign expenses at drinking establishments exceed those reported by campaigns for the other four members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation, FEC data shows.

For the filing periods covering Jan. 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016, Hunter’s campaign reported 66 transactions totaling $36,358 at bars, pubs, cigar lounges, liquor stores and other establishments known for their alcoholic beverages, the FEC data show. During the same time period, the next-biggest campaign spender at such establishments was Darrell Issa, R-Vista, whose campaign reported 13 charges totaling $5,402.

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The campaign for Susan Davis, D-San Diego, spent the least, with one charge for $1,026 at Bullfeathers, data showed. The purpose of the expense was listed as “catering.”


Of Hunter’s 301 charges at bars, cigar lounges, liquor stores, bar-dominant restaurants and similar businesses, the purpose of 217 totaling $92,191 were reported as “food & beverages” or a variation, such as “food/beverages.” Another 28 charges totaling $29,222 were reported as “catering,” “event expense” or a similar purpose. Two charges totaling $271 at Zarka Cigar Lounge were reported as simply “beverages.”

Trouble first surfaced regarding Hunter’s campaign spending in April 2016, when the FEC and then The San Diego Union-Tribune began examining expenses such as video game charges and family vacations to Italy.

Hunter reviewed his campaign spending and reimbursed his treasury more than $60,000 in expenses he identified as personal, mistaken or undocumented, dating back to 2015. A grand jury is reviewing evidence in a criminal investigation of his spending, dating as far back as 2009. Hunter has denied involvement in any criminal action.


Twitter: @jptstewart


joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

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