Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., shifted blame to his wife as he attempted to prove his innocence in the face of several corruption charges, hours after he and his wife both pleaded not guilty to misusing campaign funds.
“I’m saying, when I went to Iraq in 2003, the first time I gave her power of attorney and she handled my finances throughout my entire military career, and that continued on when I got into Congress, because I’m gone five days a week and I’m home for two,” Hunter said Thursday evening in an interview with Fox News’ Martha McCallum.
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“She was also the campaign manager,” Hunter added. “So whatever she did, that will be looked at too, I’m sure. But I didn’t do it. I didn’t spend any money illegally, I did not use campaign money.”
Duncan and Margaret Hunter appeared in court Thursday after they were charged with wire fraud, prohibited use of campaign contributions, falsification of records, among other things. They pleaded not guilty Thursday to spending $250,000 of campaign funds on golf outings, restaurants, groceries, and other personal items, and submitting incorrect reports to the Federal Election Commission.
[Opinion: Duncan Hunter throws his wife under bus in campaign finance scandal]
Hunter also announced Thursday that he was temporarily stepping down from the Armed Services, Education and the Workforce, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees until the federal criminal case is resolved.
“In light of recent events, I am requesting to be temporarily removed from my positions,” Hunter said Thursday in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. “I fully intend to resume my position as an active member of these committees upon a successful resolution of pending legal matters.”
“The charges against me are politically motivated and without merit. I intend to fight them fully,” Hunter added. “In the meantime, I look forward to quickly clearing my good name, and I will continue to represent the people of California’s 50th district.”
