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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 3 december 2019

California Rep. Hunter to plead guilty to corruption charge

By JULIE WATSON people know I did make clude former Rep. Darrell
Associated Press mistakes. I did not prop- Issa and radio personality
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Cali- erly monitor or account for Carl DeMaio, a former San
fornia Rep. Duncan Hunter my campaign money," he Diego city councilman.
said he plans to plead guilty said. "Whatever my time in All three applauded Hunt-
to misusing campaign custody is, I will take that er's decision to plead guilty.
funds and is prepared to hit. My only hope is that the Hunter is the second Re-
go to jail, a stunning turn of judge does not sentence publican congressman
events for the six-term Re- my wife to jail. I think my this year to plead guilty to
publican who had stead- kids need a mom in the federal charges. In Octo-
fastly denied wrongdoing home." ber, former four-term Rep.
and claimed he was the Hunter's plea sets up the Chris Collins of New York
victim of a political witch prospects for a second pleaded guilty in an insider
hunt. special House election in trading case and resigned.
Hunter said in an interview California next year. Fresh- He faces a maximum sen-
that aired Monday that he In this July 1, 2019, file photo, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves man Rep. Katie Hill, a rising tence of about four years
will change his not guilty federal court after a motions hearing in San Diego. Democratic star, resigned in prison. Hunter's depar-
plea at a federal court Associated Press her Los Angeles-area seat ture will mark the end of a
hearing Tuesday. He said in October after explicit political dynasty in which
he wants to protect his indicted and was cam- money went to household photos of her were posted he and his father repre-
three children from going paigning for a seventh term items and airline tickets for online. sented the district for nearly
through a trial. next year, indicated he will their pet rabbit. Prosecutors Hunter represents the 50th 40 years. Duncan Hunter Sr.
His wife Margaret Hunter leave office but didn't say revealed salacious details Congressional District, was elected to the seat in
also was charged in the when. about the congressman's which covers eastern San 1980 and held it until his son
case and in June accept- An early supporter of Presi- lifestyle, saying some mon- Diego County and a small won in 2008.
ed a plea deal that called dent Donald Trump, Hunter ey was used by Hunter to part of Riverside County. It Until now, Hunter had re-
for her to testify against her said he will plead guilty further romantic relation- is the most Republican dis- sisted calls to resign, call-
husband. to one count of misuse of ships with lobbyists and trict in Southern California, ing the charges a politically
"I think it would be really campaign funds. Federal congressional aides. an area now nearly devoid motivated attempt to drive
tough for them," he told prosecutors charged he Hunter, 42, said he will ac- of GOP representation. him from office in a state
San Diego TV station KUSI. and his wife with 60 crimi- cept whatever sentence Hunter narrowly survived where Democrats are in
"It's hard enough being the nal counts, saying they the judge gives. The cou- a challenge in 2018 from the majority. Following his
kids of a public figure. I think spent more than $250,000 ple could have faced de- Democrat Ammar Campa- indictment in August 2018
it's time for them to live life in campaign money for cades in prison before the Najjar, a political unknown. he said the charges were
outside the spotlight." golf outings, plane tick- plea deals. His wife faces The 30-year-old Campa- brought by prosecutors
Hunter, who was re-elect- ets and a family vacation up to five years in prison. Najjar is running again and who attended a fundraiser
ed last year after being to Italy. They also said the "I think it's important that Republican contenders in- for Hillary Clinton. q
Jimmy Carter hospitalized

for urinary tract infection

AMERICUS, Ga. (AP) — For- home soon. We will issue surgery. Then on Oct. 6, he
mer U.S. President Jimmy a statement when he is re- hit his head in another fall
Carter was admitted to a leased for further rest and and received 14 stitches,
south Georgia hospital over recovery at home," she but still traveled to Nash-
the weekend for treatment added. Carter has over- ville, Tennessee, to help
of a urinary tract infection, come several health chal- build a Habitat for Human-
a spokeswoman said Mon- lenges in recent years. ity home shortly thereaf-
day. He was diagnosed with ter. He fractured his pelvis
Deanna Congileo, a melanoma in 2015, an- in another fall later that
spokeswoman for The Cart- nouncing that the cancer month and was briefly hos-
er Center, said in a state- had spread to other parts pitalized.
ment that the 95-year-old of his body. After partial re- Last Wednesday, Carter
former president was ad- moval of his liver, treatment was released from Emory
mitted to Phoebe Sumter for brain lesions, radiation University Hospital in At-
In this Nov. 3, 2019 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter Medical Center in Ameri- and immunotherapy, he lanta after recovering from
teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, cus over the weekend. said he was cancer-free. surgery to relieve pressure
Ga. "He is feeling better and A fall last spring required on his brain caused by
Associated Press
looks forward to returning him to get hip replacement bleeding from a fall.q