Despite plea, congressman still in line for pension

SAN DIEGO — Last month Rep. Duncan D. Hunter pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy for converting campaign funds to personal use, but that doesn’t mean taxpayers will be off the hook for supporting the congressman after he retires.

Hunter, an Alpine, Calif., Republican who was sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2009, has garnered at least 11 years of service that counts toward the congressional portion of his pension, meaning he’ll still likely receive thousands of dollars in retirement benefits related to that service in addition to benefits from prior military service.

The amount of money in Hunter’s congressional pension is not publicly known, and the Congressional Research Service and the Office of Personnel Management both declined to provide The San Diego Union-Tribune with information regarding the congressman’s benefits. Hunter remains in Congress, although he said he would step down “shortly after the holidays.” He is to be sentenced March 17.