U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter is being asked about thousands of dollars in campaign funds that appear to have been spent in online video games and tuition to his child's school.
The Federal Election Commission wants a response from Hunter regarding 68 charges on a credit card tied to his campaign funds.
A letter sent Monday to the Alpine representative asks for an explanation on items "that appear to possibly constitute personal use of campaign funds by the candidate."
Among the charges are a $1651.00 payment made on September 21, 2015 to Christian Unified Schools.
There are more than 60 charges to an online video gaming company ranging in amounts from $5 to $96.30.
A spokesperson for Rep. Hunter said the charges were in no way hidden from the FEC, rather Hunter’s campaign reported the personal expenses in their quarterly reports.
Half of the charges were the result of a conversation the Congressman had with his son in June or July. Hunter told the then-12 year old to grab a credit card from his wallet to set up a subscription on a gaming account. The child grabbed the wrong credit card, according to Hunter's spokesperson.
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When the issue was discovered in September or October, the gaming subscription was canceled and the Congressman reimbursed the campaign for expenses up to that point, he added.
However, the charges mentioned in the FEC letter occurred after the subscription was canceled. Now, the Congressman is trying to rectify the incorrect charges with the gaming company.
As for the tuition charge, Hunter's spokesperson said that was an error made by the school.
The campaign made a contribution/donation payment which was counted as tuition payment, the spokesperson said. Once the school closed their books at the end of 2015, the error could not be fixed.
Hunter's office said the Congressman has already reimbursed the campaign for those tuition funds.
An FEC spokesperson said the agency sends letters like the one mailed to Hunter when an FEC campaign finance analyst identifies what may be prohibited activity regarding the campaign funds, a potential mistake or a need for clarification.
Candidates have 35 days from the date the letter is sent to respond to the FEC. For Hunter, that date is May 9.
