California congressman Hunter pleads guilty in corruption case
After two years of claiming to be the victim of a political conspiracy, California congressman Duncan Hunter pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal criminal charge of conspiring to misuse campaign funds.
Prosecutors accused Hunter and his wife, Margaret, of misusing $250,000 in campaign donations to pay for personal expenses, including their children's private school tuition, lavish travel, expensive meals at restaurants, groceries and clothing.
On Tuesday, the Republican representative calmly answered 'guilty,' when a judge asked how he pleaded to a reduced charge.
But outside the courthouse, Duncan deflected blame.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DUNCAN HUNTER, SAYING:
"I failed to monitor and account for my campaign spending. I made mistakes, and that's what today was all about."
Federal prosecutors, however, say the charge was not about mismanagement or mistakes, but serious misconduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Allen.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY EMILY ALLEN, SAYING:
"Duncan Hunter intentionally took money that did not belong to him and he used it for his own benefit."
The 42-year-old former U.S. Marine initially pleaded not guilty.
His wife pleaded guilty in June and agreed to cooperate with the government's case against her husband.
After he was indicted, Hunter appeared to blame his wife for his legal problems in an interview with Fox News, saying she oversaw his campaign funds. Duncan indicated he would not seek re-election next year, offering Democrats a chance to seize a GOP stronghold.
The felony offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, but his attorney has said prosecutors have agreed to recommend significantly less time than that.
