The criminal investigation into whether GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.) improperly used campaign funds is picking up steam.
Federal prosecutors subpoenaed the California lawmaker’s parents as they seek to determine whether Hunter improperly used campaign funds for personal use, Politico reported Thursday, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation.
A female lobbyist was also reportedly subpoenaed as part of the probe. Many people close to Hunter believe they had had a romantic relationship, according to the report.
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The Justice Department is investigating whether hundreds of thousands of dollars from Hunter’s campaign account were diverted and ultimately spent on his family and friends.
A key person of interest in the FBI probe is Hunter’s wife, Margaret, who helped manage his campaign, according to the report.
Some of the alleged improper campaign charges range from tuition payments to his children’s private school as well as multiple expensed restaurant meals where no donor appears to have attended.
Sources for the story, who ranged from lawmakers, congressional aides and former staffers of Hunter, among others, told the newspaper that most of those charges were made by Margaret Hunter.
The Republican lawmaker is also facing immense scrutiny from authorities who are inquiring about his relationships with several women in D.C. as well as why thousands of dollars in campaign expenditures were charged to Washington restaurants.
“He’s enjoyed his time in Washington — probably a little too much,” one House Republican lawmaker told the newspaper.
“His wife supposedly had the campaign credit card, but that’s not an excuse. You can’t just blame your wife,” the lawmaker added.
Hunter, however, denied intentionally misusing political funds during a Monday interview with Politico.
“Nah, I know the rules,” he told the newspaper. “And if I did, it was an accident and I paid it back.”
A spokesperson for Hunter characterized the allegations made in the Politico report as “rumors.”
“Congressman Hunter has no comment on the FBI investigation with which he has fully cooperated and all questions in this matter should be directed toward his legal representation,” spokesman Mike Harrison said in an email to The Hill in response to the story.
“Regarding the other allegations cited in the Politico article, Congressman Hunter denies these rumors. It is business as usual for our office and Congressman Hunter is not spending time responding to what amounts to baseless speculation and DC gossip.”
Updated at 2:00 p.m.