GOP congressman Duncan Hunter to plead guilty to federal corruption

[Valin]

Washington Examiner

Tim Pearce

December 02, 2019

Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California intends to change his "not guilty" plea for charges of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations on personal expenses.

A federal indictment filed in August 2018 alleged Hunter and his wife, Margaret, illegally spent more than $250,000 in campaign donations to cover expenses such as family vacations and video games. A note posted in the U.S. District Court docket on Monday suggests Hunter may back off his claim of innocence.

"Notice of change of hearing as to defendant Duncan D. Hunter," the entry says, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Change of Plea Hearing set for 12/3/2019 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 3C before Judge Thomas J. Whelan."

(Snip)

In an interview after the plea hearing announcement was posted, Hunter, 43, said, “It’s important not to have a public trial for three reasons, and those three reasons are my kids.”

“Whatever my time in custody will be, I will take that hit. My only hope is that the judge does not sentence my wife to jail. I think my kids need a mom in the home,” he continued.

(Snip)