FBI confiscates computers, docs in investigation of GOP rep’s campaign spending

The FBI seized computer equipment and records in February from the agency hired by a GOP lawmaker to ensure his campaign complied with campaign finance rules.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that FBI agents seized computers and documents from Election CFO, the firm hired by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) to manage Hunter’s finances and ensure he complied with the law.

Hunter is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department for alleged misuse of campaign funds, including $1,300 spent on video games that Hunter blamed on his son.

{mosads}In March, Hunter told Politico that he had done nothing wrong.

“I was not involved in any criminal action,” Hunter said. “Maybe I wasn’t attentive enough to my campaign. That’s not a crime.”

The Times report also states that the FBI is looking at communications between Hunter and his wife, Margaret, who also serves as his campaign manager. In March, Hunter wouldn’t say if Margaret Hunter had made the improper purchases from the campaign account.

“I’m not saying that,” he said at the time. “I’m saying that I didn’t make any of those charges. That’s for an investigation. I’m just telling you that I didn’t make any of those expenditures.”

According to the Times, Hunter has already reimbursed his campaign for tens of thousands of dollars in improper purchases, including a family vacation to Italy, oral surgery and purchases at the Disneyland gift shop.

Hunter was swiftly attacked on Twitter over the news, with one primary challenger tweeting that “integrity” needed to be brought back to Hunter’s district.

“We need to bring Integrity back to the 50th District,” Republican Andrew Zelt wrote. “We cannot stand for this!”

We need to bring Integrity back to the 50th District. We cannot stand for this!https://t.co/usL4K30t2z

— Andrew Zelt (@zeltforcongress) August 9, 2017