One of Congress’ prominent combat veterans from the recent wars is under fire for using re-election campaign funds to buy video games.
According to information uncovered by the San Diego Union Tribune, the Federal Election Commission is questioning more than $1,300 in video game charges included in the year-end campaign finance disclosures for Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.
Hunter’s spokesman told the newspaper the charges came as a result of a mistake purchase by the congressman’s son, who used one of his father’s credit cards to buy an unidentified game.
His campaign says that charge was immediately repaid with Hunter’s own money, but recurring charges from the site continued even after his family attempted to cancel the account. Hunter is challenging those charges with the company.
He self-reported the questionable expenses and listed the charges as “personal expense to be paid back” on FEC forms. But commission officials have asked for further explanation within the next month, to determine if penalties or punishment is warranted in the case.
Hunter, who served as a Marine Corps field artillery officer during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later in Afghanistan, has been a prominent conservative voice on military personnel issues on the House Armed Services Committee.
