Duncan Hunter defends campaign spending on affairs with staffers, lobbyists as 'overtly political'

[Zorro]

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

Congressman Duncan Hunter’s defense lawyers Friday asked a judge to bar federal prosecutors from using evidence of infidelity in the criminal case against Hunter, who is accused of improperly spending $250,000 in campaign dollars on personal expenses.

Prosecutors recently filed motions alleging Hunter spent campaign donations on hotels, trips, meals and drinks to support extramarital affairs he had with at least five women.

Hunter’s attorneys argued in a filing on Friday that prosecutors were trying to embarrass their client and influence a potential jury against him.

They also said that because the alleged relationships were with lobbyists and congressional staffers, prosecutors can’t prove all the expenses didn’t serve legitimate political purposes.

Read more: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2019-06-29/both-sides-in-hunter-case-jockey-for-advantage-ahead-of-monday-hearing

[Schmice3]

1. That's fine. Let a jury decide. N/T

[smirkymonkey]

2. Typical republican.

They blatantly commit crimes, lie, cheat and break all the rules and then, when caught, turn around and blame it all on somebody else, usually the Democrats.

He's disgusting! I hope they throw the book at him.

[Perseus]

3. The "party of moral values" doesn't want to show immorality from one of their own?

I don't believe it...

Wow, this one is a beauty:
"They also said that because the alleged relationships were with lobbyists and congressional staffers, prosecutors can’t prove all the expenses didn’t serve legitimate political purposes."

Having sex with those women, although it is infidelity, served a political purpose. When one thinks we have heard everything from the "corruption party" something new comes along, the worst part is we don't have to wait long for these things to hit the press.

[HuskyOffset]

9. Not to defend the slimeball,

but I think what they mean is that the $$ were not spent on extra-marital activities, but rather on legitimate political (non-sexual) activities with his staffers and with lobbyists. At least, that what I assume they're saying. It is possible that, in a rare burst of honesty, they mean what you're saying.

[Zorro]

10. I'm waiting to hear whether his wife

considered those expenditures were for legitimate political activities.

[Liberty Belle]

11. How are the following legit campaign or government expenses?

Uber rides for overnight stays at lady lobbyists' homes - was the pillow talk anything other than monkey business?
How about that weekend at a posh ski resort with a lobbyist mistress?

[HuskyOffset]

12. That's not what I'm saying

All I'm saying is: Hunter is going to claim there was no hanky-panky, all expenses were for legitimate political purposes. He is not and will not claim that yes, I was having sex with these various people, but it was for political purposes, so it's OK. What I am not saying is that I believe him when he says there was no hanky-panky.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. "Wine me, dine me, it's on the House"

"You got it, Babe. Just keep it privy from my Uncle Sam."

[IronLionZion]

5. The party of family values strikes again

sounds like a good Christian man

[warmfeet]

6. The dregs of humanity.

Way to take responsibility for your actions - (NOT)! Oh well, just another repiglican. Lock him the hell up.

[asiliveandbreathe]

7. Hunter embarrassed himself..his family, his constituents, his office, his country...lock him up!!

Hunter’s attorneys argued in a filing on Friday that prosecutors were trying to embarrass their client and influence a potential jury against him.

[riversedge]

8. He does deserve jail time.