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Duncan Hunter Steps Down From House Committees Amid Corruption Charges

He pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) told House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday that he will step down from all of his committee assignments, Politico reports. Ryan had asked Hunter to step down from his committee posts after the lawmaker was indicted with his wife for allegedly using more than $250,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses. While Hunter initially resisted the idea, he finally agreed “to be temporarily removed” from his committee positions in a letter obtained by Politico. Hunter and his wife pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges at a federal courthouse in San Diego, where they were greeted by protestors shouting, “Lock him up!” Hunter, who maintains his innocence, has blamed the Justice Department for the allegations and for conducting a “witch hunt” against him.