AUTHORITIES: IMMIGRANT IN U.S. ILLEGALLY KILLED GIRL

man from Mexico living in the U.S. illegally has confessed to kidnapping college student Mollie Tibbetts while she was running in her small Iowa hometown, killing her and dumping her body in a cornfield, authorities announced Tuesday.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was arrested and charged with firstdegree murder in the death of Tibbetts, 20, whose July 18 disappearance set off a massive search involving state and federal authorities.

Rivera led investigators early Tuesday to a body believed to be that of Tibbetts in a cornfield about 12 miles southeast of Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts was last seen running.

Rep. charged with spending campaign money on personal expenses.

The Justice Department on Tuesday charged a Republican congressman and his wife with using more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for family vacations, theater tickets and other personal expenses.

Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (Calif.) and his wife, Margaret, were charged in a 47-page indictment that details how they allegedly used campaign money to live beyond their means, funding trips to Italy, Hawaii and other places, as well as school tuition, dental work and theater tickets.

The Justice Department said in a news release that the couple also allegedly spent tens of thousands of dollars on more modest items, such as golf outings, video games and even home utilities.

Hunter’s office did not respond to a request to comment.

Vatican: Pope expected to meet with abuse victims in Ireland.

CITY» The Vatican VATICAN said Tuesday that Pope Francis is expected to meet with victims of sexual abuse during his weekend visit to Ireland and will speak out about the problem.

Spokesman Greg Burke effectively confirmed the meeting during a briefing Tuesday.

He said Francis always meets with victims when he visits countries where abuse “is a reality.”

Argento denies sexual assault, says Bourdain made payment.

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Two days after a report detailed an accusation of sexual assault against #MeToo activist Asia Argento, the Italian actress and filmmaker said she never had a sexual relationship with the young actor whom she agreed to pay $380,000 in a settlement.

Argento, who has alleged that film producer Harvey Weinstein raped her, said in a statement issued Tuesday that she was linked “in friendship only” to Jimmy Bennett, a now 22-year-old Los Angeles actor who filed a legal notice of intent to sue Argento.

Argento said Tuesday that the $380,000 payment was undertaken by her late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, the television star chef.

— Denver Post wire services