Deeming Regulations have been released!!!!

[zoiDman]

Yep, I've done that. Two Amex cards, one personal, one for my business. For a while, they even had the same last four digits, which was a total PITA 'cause there was an on-line vendor with whom I had both on file and they would offer me the choice of paying with the card that ends in 3005 or the other card that ends in 3005.


No it does not. My bookkeeper (who I also sleep with, but that's probably OK since we're married) catches that stuff every single time, as soon as the statements arrive.

Yeah... We have All made a Mistake. And that Isn't what get's an Ethics Committee or The Justice Department's nickers in a twist.

It's when they see a Repeated, Systemic and Brazen Misuses of Campaign Funds that they tend to move into action.

BTW - I want to know what the Name on the CC was?

 

[Ca Ike]

Hey Nobody said an Honest Mistake couldn't happen. And pulling the wrong CC out of you wallet to pay for Dinner is just that. But doing it Repeatedly? Over 2 Years? And Racking up $48,000 ~ $60,000 worth of Charges?

Does that Pass the Smell Test?

I find it Not in the Realm of Reality that someone in the Hunter Campaign never approached Rep. Hunter and asked him What's Up with these Personal Charges being charged to that CC ?

I've thought about that but there is also the possibility that the campaign was paying those companies anyway for things like power for the headquarters office and add time so it didn't flag right away. I know my home phone bill and my bill for the listing for my business were identical except for the DBA line under my name on the business listing. At a quick glance you don't always read the name when your paying, just the amount you need to pay.

The fact that he is paying it back voluntarily is huge for me. I've done a bit of looking and found similar cases and so far none of the politicians ever paid it back without a court order to and fought like hell not to have to.

His "well, a mistake was made so I'll correct it immediately" attitude is a big deal. I was raised to stand up for your mistakes and even if you don't think it was your fault, if it is possible it is or at least involved you, then you help correct it. The how it happened is not as important as identifying it and correcting it.

 

[zoiDman]

Hey I think it is Great that Rep Duncan is paying for Personal Charges he or his family made. But wasn't that what He was supposed to do in the 1st Place? So it Isn't exactly like he is going an Extra Mile or something.

No one said that there Couldn't have been a Mix Up on Phone Bill. Or maybe on your Cable Bill. But on the List below, how many of these Charges need a Person to be Holding the CC in their Hand when they made them?

The charges that comprise that repayment are as follows:

All 2015-2016 Cox Communications totaling $1174.96

10/14/2015 San Diego Gas & Electric totaling $1268.00

8/10/2015 Padre Municipal Water District totaling $300.00

All 2015-2016 Sea World totaling $961.46

9/28/2015 Star Trader totaling $229.44

9/28/2015 Royal Street Veranda totaling $58.31

All 2015-2016 Albertsons totaling $4223.34

All 2015-2016 Vons totaling $850.65

All 2015-2016 Trader Joes totaling $603.94

8/20/2015 Educational Outfitters totaling 207.63

All 2015-2016 Costco totaling $6142.03

All 2015-2016 Target totaling $1302.93

All 2015-2016 Walmart totaling $2616.64

All 2015-2016 Walgreens totaling $129.21

All 2015-2016 Rite Aid totaling $670.24

6/29/2015 CVS totaling $38.75

All 2015-2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods totaling $434.49

7/6/2015 The North Face totaling $205.62

8/6/2015 Sports Authority totaling $144.57

All 2015 FEIS Productions totaling $230.00

All 2015-2016 7-Eleven totaling $35.16

7/7/2015 Bishop Gas & Mini Mart $45.09

All 2015-2016 Chevron totaling $2,866.93

9/2/2015 Circle K totaling $57.30

All 2015-2016 Exxon totaling $519.26

All 2015 Firenze S.M.N. Self Service totaling $320.24

7/7/2015 Mill City Trv Cntr totaling $46.82

7/23/2015 Rubio’s totaling $38.35

All 2015-2016 Shell Oil Co totaling $2605.01

3/23/2015 USA Gasoline totaling $44.30

All 2015 Nordstrom totaling $414.47

All 2015 Macy’s totaling $486.97

12/21/2015 Athleisure Inc. totaling $85.32

11/10/2015 Abercrombie & Fitch totaling $92.88

All 2015-2016 Nail Spa Plus totaling $111.00

8/18/2015 Regis totaling $99.53

5/8/2015 Icing totaling $77.85

11/30/2015 H&M totaling $134.61

All 2015-2016 Home Depot totaling $1031.89

All 2016 Arizona Grand Resort totaling $2891.75

7/7/2015 The Grove Hotel totaling $1083.63

7/6/2015 Epleys Boise River Rental totaling $73.14

3/15/2016 Hotel Del Toy Castle totaling $43.63

12/15/2015 Hotel del Recreation totaling $100.00

All 2015 Expedia totaling $1920.11

11/27/2015 Roma Termini totaling $248.03

11/30/2015 Casa Italo Napoli Centrale totaling $289.38

11/25/2015 Ristorante Il Giubileo totaling $213.50

11/27/2015 Hotel L’Ancora totaling $683.29

11/27/2015 Il Ritrovo Restaurant totaling $294.53

11/27/2015 Starhotels Michelangelo totaling $161.65

11/27/2015 Trattoria Da Cumpa Cosimo totaling $138.25

11/27/2015 Gioielleria Manetti totaling $216.76

11/03/2015 United Airlines totaling $15.96

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $246.00

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $105.30

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $105.30

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $403.20

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $105.30

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $403.20

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $403.20

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $105.30

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $1399.20

11/04/2015 United Airlines totaling $403.20

11/17/2015 United Airlines totaling $11.97

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $134.00

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $7.99

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $127.00

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $9.99

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $134.00

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $134.00

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $7.99

11/23/2015 United Airlines totaling $6.99

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $16.99

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $16.99

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $185.10

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $185.10

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $185.10

11/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $185.10

1/30/2015 United Airlines totaling $413.00

2/26/2015 United Airlines totaling $125.00

11/12/2015 United Airlines totaling $125.00

11/12/2015 United Airlines totaling $125.00

7/11/2014 United Airlines totaling $125.00

7/11/2014 United Airlines totaling $125.00

All 2015 Jeff Gray DDS totaling $1400.00

All 2015 Barnes & Noble totaling $525.36

All 2015-2016 Ki’s Restaurant totaling $1372.75

http://escondidograpevine.com/2017/03/23/hunter-campaign-finance-gift-keeps-giving/

I think there just comes a Point when a Reasonable Person says... "No. This doesn't look like a Random Mistake. This looks like a Systemic Effort to use Campaign Funds for Personal Use."

 

[Lessifer]

He should have created a foundation and then had the foundation pay for everything.

 

[CMD-Ky]

He should have created a foundation and then had the foundation pay for everything.

Woo Hoo, and the winner is "Lessifer". Great call.

 

[CMD-Ky]

You're right Mattiem.
I guess it was such a shock, that I jumped to conclusions without knowing all the facts.
I should know better!
As always, calmer heads will prevail. Hopefully.
If the media doesn't burn him at the stake first.

I see a difference between an occurrence or two and a protracted pattern of behavior.

 

[Eskie]

Looking at that whole list, it is possible (OK not likely but sorta stretching for it possible) to consider all that travel, dining and entertainment as legitimate business/campaign expense. However, the

"All 2015-2016 Nail Spa Plus totaling $111.00"

is a tough sell.

 

[Mazinny]

I've thought about that but there is also the possibility that the campaign was paying those companies anyway for things like power for the headquarters office and add time so it didn't flag right away. I know my home phone bill and my bill for the listing for my business were identical except for the DBA line under my name on the business listing. At a quick glance you don't always read the name when your paying, just the amount you need to pay.

The fact that he is paying it back voluntarily is huge for me. I've done a bit of looking and found similar cases and so far none of the politicians ever paid it back without a court order to and fought like hell not to have to.

His "well, a mistake was made so I'll correct it immediately" attitude is a big deal. I was raised to stand up for your mistakes and even if you don't think it was your fault, if it is possible it is or at least involved you, then you help correct it. The how it happened is not as important as identifying it and correcting it.

Restaurants, spas, gift shops and hotels in Italy !? What did the campaign mistake those for ? Not to mention that he had to have used the campaign credit card numerous times to make the payments in the first place. He mistook it for his personal credit card every time ? And did he not wonder once in that two year period, hey where's the credit card bill for our Italy vacation !?

The fact that he paid it back after the HOC and San Diego Tribune started asking questions, is meaningless. What is his excuse at that point for not reimbursing the money.

This is not a complex bribery scandal like the one his father was involved in. The facts are not in dispute by Duncans lawyers. The only question is whether a jury will believe him when he states every single one of those charges were made mistakenly, and none of them were caught by any one involved in the campaign until two years later when watchdog groups and newspapers started asking questions.

 

[oplholik]

Hey, gotta keep up one's appearances.

 

[zoiDman]

Looking at that whole list, it is possible (OK not likely but sorta stretching for it possible) to consider all that travel, dining and entertainment as legitimate business/campaign expense. However, the

"All 2015-2016 Nail Spa Plus totaling $111.00"

is a tough sell.

I dunno?

Not much Tougher than this...

Congressman spent campaign funds for rabbit air travel

 

[Lessifer]

Looking at that whole list, it is possible (OK not likely but sorta stretching for it possible) to consider all that travel, dining and entertainment as legitimate business/campaign expense. However, the

"All 2015-2016 Nail Spa Plus totaling $111.00"

is a tough sell.

Yeah, a lot of it I could see at least being mistaken as a possible campaign expense. Others, if say your browser saves your credit card info, you could easily use the wrong card. Some are obviously personal.

He doesn't seem to be denying that the charges shouldn't have been made to the campaign funds, and has paid them back, which is not what usually happens.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes of this.

 

[Mazinny]

Yeah, a lot of it I could see at least being mistaken as a possible campaign expense. Others, if say your browser saves your credit card info, you could easily use the wrong card. Some are obviously personal.

He doesn't seem to be denying that the charges shouldn't have been made to the campaign funds, and has paid them back, which is not what usually happens.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes of this.

Les, would you notice if you have $ 60,000 more money in your personal account than what you think you should have, based on the money you've spent ? And if yes, how long would it take for you to figure it out ?

 

[zoiDman]

...

The fact that he paid it back after the HOC and San Diego Tribune started asking questions, is meaningless. What is his excuse at that point for not reimbursing the money.

...

Simple.

 

[Lessifer]

Les, would you notice if you have $ 60,000 more money in your personal account than what you think you should have, based on the money you've spent ? And if yes, how long would it take for you to figure it out ?

My personal account is near empty at most times. How much is usually in Hunter's account? I don't know him, but I'm guessing he's not a paycheck to paycheck kind of guy.

 

[Eskie]

Les, would you notice if you have $ 60,000 more money in your personal account than what you think you should have, based on the money you've spent ? And if yes, how long would it take for you to figure it out ?

If I saw an extra $60,000 in my checking account, I'd probably notice. Then run to the ATM to take out as much of it as I could before the bank notices.

However, credit card statments are not really income. You're not going to see a plus on the income side. And as congressmen are reelected every two years, and running between Washington and your home district, campaign costs can add up, so that $60,000 in improper expenses over a 2 or 3 year period might not automatically be a flashing neon sign. But some of those are just, well, yeah, pay the money back.

 

[Mazinny]

My personal account is near empty at most times. How much is usually in Hunter's account? I don't know him, but I'm guessing he's not a paycheck to paycheck kind of guy.

Do you seriously believe they could be that clueless ? Dozens of charges over a two year period adding up to $ 60,000, and none of them included in your personal credit card bill, month after month after month !?

He had to take a mortgage on his house to make the reimbursement.

 

[Rossum]

I see a difference between an occurrence or two and a protracted pattern of behavior.

Who are you to judge?

Oh wait....

 

[Mazinny]

If I saw an extra $60,000 in my checking account, I'd probably notice. Then run to the ATM to take out as much of it as I could before the bank notices.

However, credit card statments are not really income. You're not going to see a plus on the income side. And as congressmen are reelected every two years, and running between Washington and your home district, campaign costs can add up, so that $60,000 in improper expenses over a 2 or 3 year period might not automatically be a flashing neon sign. But some of those are just, well, yeah, pay the money back.

I know credit card statements are not income lol My point is you know you have charged this money ( on personal expenditures ). Would you not assume that at some point the bill would come, and you would have to pay for them ?

 

[Rickb119]

Simple.

Or, if (bought and paid for, in you pocket/appointed by you husband) federal bureaucrats say that it isn't.

 

[Lessifer]

Do you seriously believe they could be that clueless ? Dozens of charges over a two year period adding up to $ 60,000, and none of them included in your personal credit card bill, month after month after month !?

He had to take a mortgage on his house to make the reimbursement.

Again, me, 60K at once, I'd notice. However, a couple hundred here, a couple hundred there, over the course of 2 years? It's not unfeasible that it went unnoticed.

I'm also not a politician who is used to having my expenses paid.

Not saying he didn't do something wrong, just pointing out that it is possible it wasn't intentional.