GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter Resigns From Congress After Pleading Guilty To Corruption Charges

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California) formally handed in his letter of resignation after pleading guilty of a corruption indictment. 

The indictment was in response to his misusing at least $250,000 from his campaign fund.  A letter posted to Twitter with no mention of the indictment said that the resignation would take into effect on the January 13. 

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Instead of addressing the charges against him, he praised himself for his military service and his time in Congress. “After three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, I was elected to the House and brought with me lessons I learned during my service in the Marine Corps and the values instilled by my father who held this seat before me.”

The letter continued to observe his accomplishments in office. “During my time in Congress, I had the privilege of helping thousands of individuals in my district — from making sure veterans received the benefits they earned, to helping Social Security and Medicare recipients cut through red tape, to assisting immigrants seeking legal citizenship, and countless others going up against the IRS, ATF or other government agencies.”

Rep. Hunter and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were both indicted in August 2018 for spending campaign funds on personal trips, their children’s college tuition, groceries, medical appointments, and even tickets for their pet bunny, Eggburt.

Hunter originally denied the charges, blaming Democrats of politically motivated slander. However, that changed when his wife started cooperating with investigators in June of 2019. 

He later blamed mismanagement for the spending, but California prosecutors disagreed. Assistant US Attorney Phil Halpern said, “Congressman Hunter himself misappropriated his own campaign funds for the use of himself and his family,” and accused the congressman of using his campaign funds “as a piggy bank to float a lifestyle they couldn’t maintain.” 

Hunter is set to serve 5 years in prison. 

Article by Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez