SAN DIEGO (AP) – U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter says political reasons prompted the Department of Justice to pressure his wife to plead guilty and testify against him in their corruption case.
The GOP California congressman made the comment in a statement Thursday after Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty to a single count in U.S. court in San Diego.
Duncan Hunter says the prosecution wanted to prevent him from getting re-elected.
He says questions about their use of campaign funds should have been handled by the Federal Elections Commission.
In her plea deal, Margaret Hunter acknowledged the couple misused more than $200,000 in campaign funds for personal use over six years.
She also agreed to help the government. Rep. Hunter’s trial is in September.
This item has been corrected to say Margaret Hunter acknowledged misusing more than $200,000 in campaign funds, not $250,000.
