Congressman questioned over campaign funds spent on Steam purchases

Federal election regulators are questioning a U.S. congressman over campaign funds spent on Steam games. Yes, you read that correctly.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday that Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-Calif.) listed $1,302 worth of video games on a campaign finance disclosure form as a "personal expense — to be paid back," but hasn't yet done so.

A spokesman said Hunter's teenage son actually is the one responsible for the purchases, getting hold of his father's credit card to buy one game. The rest were all unauthorized charges. Hunter, said the spokesman, is trying to have the charges refunded before repaying the account.

The same spokesman also told The Daily Beast that he was unsure if the teen's original purchase was authorized.

It's important to note this is not an investigation, at least in the sense that Hunter is formally suspected of wrongdoing. The FEC, however, has asked his campaign treasurer for an explanation of the expense and to amend the disclosure as necessary. He has until May 9 to respond.

Hunter, 39, is the son of Duncan Hunter, also a Republican congressman who served 16 years. The younger Hunter has served in the House since winning his father's seat in 2009. He is a member of the House's committees on armed services, education and transportation. Duncan D. Hunter has endorsed Donald Trump for president and recently made headlines for vaping on the House floor in February.

The Union-Tribune also noted that Hunter in 2013 wrote an op-ed defending violent video games in the aftermath of a mass shooting. But his personal gaming habits, if any, are unknown.