SAN DIEGO — Jurors can hear evidence of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter's alleged extramarital affairs when they consider charges the California Republican looted campaign cash to finance vacations, golf outings and other personal expenses, a judge said Monday.
Hunter's attorney, Gregory Vega, argued that any mention of extramarital affairs and"personal indiscretions" would be"extremely prejudicial" at a trial set for September.The judge acknowledged that the allegations were sensitive. He said prosecutors and Hunter's team could agree on mutual terms to describe the relationships.
Hunter's attorneys have suggested any expenses for alleged affairs had a professional purpose because the women were lobbyists and that the spending could be considered campaign-related. Story continuesThe Republican congressman, an early supporter of President Donald Trump, sat quietly next to his attorney during the hearing. Outside, about two dozen protesters surrounded and shouted at him on his short walk to a car with a waiting driver.
Hunter and his wife were indicted in August on charges that they used more than $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses ranging from groceries to golf trips and family vacations, then lied about it in federal filings.
You can't expect him to date off the shelf.