Indicted congressman's wife heads to court to change plea

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nearly a year after U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter suggested his wife was to blame for their alleged misuse of campaign funds, Margaret Hunter was headed to court Thursday to change her not guilty plea, which could pave the way for her to testify against her husband.

Margaret Hunter, who worked as her husband's campaign manager, was scheduled to appear in federal court in San Diego to change her plea.

The California congressman's attorney, Gregory Vega, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Margaret Hunter's decision should have no impact on his client's federal corruption case that alleges the couple spent more than $250,000 in campaign money on a lavish lifestyle, bankrolling Italian and Hawaiian vacations, tequila shots and theater tickets while their household budget was in the red.

Former U.S. prosecutor Jason A. Forge said it's rare for one spouse to plead out when the other's case has not been resolved.

Forge prosecuted California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who resigned from Congress in 2005 and served more than seven years in prison for one of the worst bribery scandals to ever bring down a federal lawmaker.

"I would say it's a virtual certainty that she's cooperating with the government and therefore will be testifying against her husband," Forge said, adding he believes that makes the case "winnable."

Forge said Margaret Hunter may be ready to testify about the status of their marriage and how much sway she had over the spending.

Margaret Hunter's lawyer, Thomas McNamara, said he would provide a statement after her hearing. Vega did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

Since the indictment last year, the Hunters have entered U.S. court in San Diego separately with their own attorneys and also have left separately.

In an interview with...