SAN DIEGO — A new documentary series will detail Congressman Duncan Hunter's downfall and the fight to replace him.
The San Diego Union-Tribune produced the special, “The 50TH: A scandal. A dynasty. An election.,” and will debut it with a screening at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on January 22, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.
Union Tribune investigative reporter Morgan Cook initially broke the story. She discovered a letter back in April of 2016 that the Federal Election Commission sent Hunter's campaign, questioning his campaign spending.
"We see your campaign spent all this money on video games and it looks like your children's private school and personal use of campaign money is illegal,"
Cook recalled the letter saying. "So if you could explain to us the campaign purpose or official purpose of this money - we'd appreciate that."
Cook continued to dig and Hunter's questionable spending seemed to go on and on.
"There was oral surgery. There was a lot of fast food, lot of gas stations, a lot of grocery stores. There was unusual trips - like a trip to Italy," said Cook.
The documentary also follows the candidates hoping to win Hunter's now vacated seat. For Sam Hodgson, the documentary's producer and photojournalist, it's a fascinating fight.
"This is heavyweight republicans who are duking it out to try to defend this seat from what they see as liberal ideals coming into a conservative district."
Tickets are available for $6 online, or at the Center ticket office, or by calling 800.988.4253.
Q&A to immediately follow the film with Watchdog reporter Morgan Cook, producer/photojournalist Sam Hodgson, and more.