LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Federal prosecutors have charged three people who worked for Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign with conspiring to buy the support of a former Iowa state senator.
Among those charged is Jesse Benton, who now heads up a super PAC supporting the 2016 presidential candidacy of Paul's son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
The indictment says they negotiated with former Iowa State Sen. Kent Sorenson to switch his support to Ron Paul in exchange for money. Sorenson had previously backed Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.
The indictment says the arrangement was concealed from Ron Paul himself and that Benton initiated the deal.
Benton is married to Ron Paul's granddaughter who is Rand's niece.
In response to reports that Republican candidate for State Auditor Mike Harmon's campaign manager Jesse Benton has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice with conspiracy and other counts relating to the filing of false campaign finance reports, today Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Patrick Hughes issued the following statement:
"Mike Harmon's decision to retain Jesse Benton as his top campaign official while he was under investigation for these potential financial crimes speaks directly to his judgment — and is a clear reason why Harmon cannot be trusted to serve as Kentucky's Auditor. The financial nature of this scandal only underscores why Harmon lacks the integrity to serve as Kentucky's top taxpayer watchdog. Harmon should immediately dismiss Mr. Benton, detail any knowledge he had of these potential crimes and cooperate fully with the authorities as the investigation continues."
Adam Edelen,State Auditor, issued the following statement:
"I'd feign surprise but that would be disingenuous. It was well known from the first day Mike Harmon hired Jesse Benton last winter that Rand Paul's henchman was under investigation for his potential role in bribing an elected official in Iowa. I said then that those who wish to be the taxpayer watchdog ought to have a record of ferreting out those linked to bribery, rather than employing them. Voters ought to question the judgment of a candidate for state Auditor who ignored these allegations and allowed Jesse Benton to run a campaign that was based solely on personally attacking me and smearing my track record as one of Kentucky's most accomplished Auditors in recent history."
Benton's attorney released the following statement:
We are deeply disappointed to learn of today's indictment by the Department of Justice. Jesse Benton, a prominent conservative Republican, has cooperated with the government during its multi-year investigation. That this indictment is now suddenly announced on the eve of the first Republican Presidential debate strongly supports our belief that this is a politically motivated prosecution designed to serve a political agenda, not to achieve justice. Mr. Benton is eager to get before an impartial judge and jury who will quickly recognize this for what he believes it is: Character assassination for political gain.Please direct any future inquiries to myself (202) 371-6378 or my colleague Meena Sinfelt (202) 371-6368.
