WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department is investigating California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter for possible campaign finance violations, an allegation the lawmaker dismisses as inadvertent mistakes.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating allegations that Hunter improperly used campaign funds to pay for tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses, such as trips to Hawaii and Italy and tuition for Hunter’s school-age children.
The ethics panel said in a statement Thursday that it is delaying the inquiry at the request of the Justice Department.
Hunter, 40, won a fifth term last year representing the San Diego area.
His lawyers said Hunter and his wife, Margaret, repaid the campaign about $60,000.