Duncan Hunter:

Judge rules that jurors will be able to hear evidence of affairs in congressman’s criminal trial.

SAN DIEGO — Jurors can hear evidence of Rep. Duncan Hunter’s alleged extramarital affairs when they consider charges the California Republican looted campaign cash to finance vacations, golf outings and other personal expenses, a judge said Monday.

Prosecutors revealed salacious details about the married congressman’s lifestyle in court filings last week, saying he used campaign money to illegally finance a string of romantic relationships with lobbyists and congressional aides.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan said the allegations were relevant to whether campaign money was spent illegally and spoke to motive and intent.

Hunter’s attorney, Gregory Vega, argued that any mention of extramarital affairs and “personal indiscretions” would be “extremely prejudicial” at a trial set for September.

The judge acknowledged that the allegations were sensitive and said prosecutors and Hunter’s team could decide how to describe the relationships.

Whelan, ruling on a flurry of procedural motions, didn’t address Hunter's bid to dismiss charges or move the trial out of San Diego.

The Republican congressman was an early supporter of President Trump, and his father, former Rep. Duncan Hunter Sr., told reporters that the charges were politically motivated. Attorneys for the congressman have argued that prosecutors tied to the case were at a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in August 2015 and tried to get a photo with the Democrat, compromising their impartiality.

Hunter and his wife were indicted on charges that they used more than $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, then lied about it in federal filings. Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty last month to one corruption count and agreed to testify against her husband.