Bipartisan plunder

Congressman Duncan Hunter continues to grapple with a series of Union-Tribune exposés regarding the propriety of his campaign spending in Las Vegas, including an $896 January 11 tab at the Cosmopolitan Hotel’s main bar, “where patrons can drink inside a huge crystal chandelier.”

The Republican is facing an ongoing Justice Department investigation into his use of political money for personal expenses. Meanwhile, other members of the region’s House delegation have been racking up their own share of campaign expenditures, according to data from the Federal Election Commission. On March 31, for instance, La Jolla Democrat Scott Peters spent $5700 at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. The expense, described as covering “catering and facility rental,” was listed as paid for by an in-kind contribution from the super-rich congressman himself. 

Peters also kicked in $4152 for a March 30 catering and rental tab at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Other Peters-shouldered fun-sounding campaign costs included a $2850 bill from the Washington Nationals professional baseball team on February 28, and $2130 paid to Waters Catering March 31.

The reelection fund of fellow Democrat Juan Vargas laid out $14,896 for a “golf event” at the Lodge at Torrey Pines on February 20, along with $5760 in greens fees paid to the City of San Diego. The annual winter fundraising blow-out has previously hosted House minority whip Steny Hoyer and offered a “spa option in lieu of golf.”

In Washington, lodging at the Marriot Marquis set the Vargas camp back $3201 on Monday, January 23, three days after inaugural festivities for Donald Trump. Food and beverage at a February 17 Bistro Bis bash near the capitol was $1010. Two days later, Republican congressman Darrell Issa’s Victory Fund laid out $4374 for an “event room and catering costs” at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Del Mar on February 19. Democrat Susan Davis spent $1500 for lodging at Maryland’s Hyatt Regency Baltimore February 6.