SAN DIEGO — Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter has suggested that his wife was to blame for the alleged misuse of campaign funds after the couple was indicted for using up to $250,000 for trips, clothing purchases and school tuition.
In an interview Thursday with Fox News' Martha MacCallum after the couple pleaded not guilty to illegally using the campaign account for personal expenses, the San Diego congressman said his campaign made mistakes and that his wife was his campaign manager.
"So whatever she did, that will be looked at, too, I'm sure," Hunter said. "But I didn't do it. I didn't spend any money illegally, I did not use campaign money."
Hunter and his wife, Margaret, entered federal court in San Diego separately with their own attorneys to enter their pleas -- and both also left separately. Margaret Hunter's lawyer, Thomas McNamara, did not immediately respond to phone and email messages Friday seeking comment.
In the interview, Hunter said he gave his wife power of attorney when he deployed as a Marine to Iraq in 2003 and that she has handled his finances throughout his five terms in office.