SAN DIEGO - Years of cavalier spending of her husband’s political contributions culminated in a guilty plea Thursday for Margaret Hunter, the wife of Rep. Congressman Duncan Hunter, who was co-indicted last year in a sweeping campaign-finance investigation.

During a change-of-plea hearing in the federal courthouse in San Diego, Margaret Hunter formally admitted that she illegally used thousands of dollars in campaign donations for her personal expenses.

Margaret Hunter, 44, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy. She faces up to five years in federal custody and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced Sept. 16. She also could receive up to three years of supervised probation following her release from prison.

The 22-page agreement makes clear that Margaret Hunter has been cooperating with prosecutors for months — and her eventual sentence will reflect that help.

Both Hunters were named in a 60-count federal indictment in August alleging that together and separately they both relied on more than $250,000 donated to the congressman’s re-election fund for personal expenses.

Among other things, the campaign funds paid for family vacations, tequila shots, golf outings, resort stays, fine dining and private-school tuition for their children, according to the indictment.

The federal indictment issued in August came after two-plus years of scrutiny by federal campaign regulators and The San Diego Union-Tribune of Rep. Hunter’s campaign spending.

After Margaret Hunter’s plea hearing, Rep. Hunter released a statement to the San Diego Union-Tribune stating, “I do not have the full details of Margaret’s case, but it’s obvious that the Department of Justice (DOJ) went after her to get to me for political reasons. As Margaret’s case concludes, she should be left alone. I am the congressman, this is my campaign and any further attention on this issue should be directed solely to me.”

Duncan Hunter, 42, who was stripped of all of his committee seats after the August indictment but was re-elected in November, did not appear at the courthouse Thursday. His next court date is July 1, and his trial is scheduled for September.

The absence was notable because the Hunters began their criminal defense last summer by appearing in court together to deny all charges.

At more recent hearings, the Hunters arrived separately and did not sit together. The couple remains legally married and has three children.

Duncan Hunter’s 50th Congressional District covers a large portion of North San Diego County and a part of Temecula in Riverside County.

Story Date: June 20, 2019