Hunter Sues Election Rival Over Ads
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Coronado) has filed a libel lawsuit claiming his reelection opponent falsely branded him a criminal in radio ads that attack Hunter for writing overdraft checks on the House bank.
His challenger in the 52nd Congressional District, Democrat Janet Gastil, called the lawsuit “harassment and intimidation.” Gastil said she had been advised by lawyers that the suit was frivolous.
The lawsuit filed Monday in San Diego Superior Court contends that Gastil’s ad harmed Hunter’s reputation and could cost him votes.
“To accuse him of a crime, when he didn’t commit a crime, is going too far,” said Hunter’s attorney, Steven S. Kane. “It’s defamation.”
Hunter acknowledges that he wrote the overdrafts on the now-defunct House bank. But he notes that the bank provided free overdraft protection for members of the House, so all checks he wrote were covered.
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