Kent Sorenson pleads guilty to accepting payments to switch support

[TaftFan]

http://www.kcci.com/news/doj-former-...757234#!bLjaEh

We need to find out who paid him so they aren't working for Rand in 2016.

[orenbus]

[William Tell]

http://www.kcci.com/news/doj-former-...757234#!bLjaEh

We need to find out who paid him so they aren't working for Rand in 2016.

Yup, this sort of thing will destroy Rand if it happens again.

[MaxHen]

We need to find out who paid him so they aren't working for Rand in 2016.

We don't necessarily know that anyone did. It's possible that the DoJ had some evidence that MIGHT suggest bribery, and this guy was so frightened by the slightest prospect that he could end up in jail that he agreed to a plea bargain despite not actually being guilty. Alternatively, the DoJ might've had some evidence that he did something else (remember, this guy resigned from the IA Senate due to evidence of illegal dealings with Bachmann's campaign) and agreed to admit to this in exchange for the DoJ dropping investigation of the other matter.

[papitosabe]

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2014...back-ron-paul/

[Deborah K]

Neither Lori Pyeatt, Ron Paul’s granddaughter and the treasurer of his 2012 presidential campaign, nor Jesse Benton, who was Paul’s campaign manager (and is now manager of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s re-election campaign), had responded to requests for comment at the time this post was published.

This is bad.

[Natural Citizen]

Dang. I think this is the first time that I've ever read anything like this with the statesman's name attached to it in some way.

[Carlybee]

Smells like Jesse Benton to me.

[luctor-et-emergo]

I'm not sure what to say about it... But he did take the money ? What a bastard. (and whomever paid him)

[green73]

Dang. I think this is the first time that I've ever read anything like this with the statesman's name attached to it in some way.

I'd be really surprised if he knew anything about it. All indications are that he didn't.

[Deborah K]

The Compost just released an article on it:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...or-pay-scheme/

[green73]

The Compost just released an article on it:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...or-pay-scheme/

That's very disrespectful to compost, imho.

[Cleaner44]

Who cares? I couldn't care less if Sorenson and/or Benton go to jail for this. Sorenson doesn't have integrity and whoever paid him doesn't either.

[Schifference]

Obstructing Justice umm Clapper.

[Anti Federalist]

Earlier story with the memos.

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013...sed-of-trying/

Politics!

<spits on the ground>

[Anti Federalist]

Who cares? I couldn't care less if Sorenson and/or Benton go to jail for this. Sorenson doesn't have integrity and whoever paid him doesn't either.

I hate to see Ron's name dragged into it though.

It isn’t clear if the investigation is continuing, but Sorenson has been granted immunity from further prosecution on federal and state charges, as has his wife, according to the plea agreement.

Count on him singing like a canary, assuming any of this horse$#@! is even true.

[papitosabe]

I'd be really surprised if he knew anything about it. All indications are that he didn't.

"I disavow any of their actions, I didn't know anything about it."

-Ron Paul

On a serious note, I don't believe RP knew anything about it. And I can see Benton being elbow deep in it.

[green73]

Who cares? I couldn't care less if Sorenson and/or Benton go to jail for this. Sorenson doesn't have integrity and whoever paid him doesn't either.

This is all about hurting Ron Paul because believe it or not, he still makes the news, places like this are still pretty active...

[mosquitobite]

"I disavow any of their actions, I didn't know anything about it."

-Ron Paul

On a serious note, I don't believe RP knew anything about it. And I can see Benton being elbow deep in it.

^this

And I hope it's enough to keep Benton miles away from 2016.

[Anti Federalist]

There were some Benton apologists around, hope they get the message...

[green73]

"I disavow any of their actions, I didn't know anything about it."

-Ron Paul

What you post in jest just highlights further the madness of politics and central planning.

[mosquitobite]

anyone that wants to get PAID for an endorsement is nothing more than a tick and has no principles.

You either support someone or you don't. And anyone on any campaign PAYING for an endorsement is a $#@!ty campaign manager!

[mosquitobite]

What you post in jest just highlights further the madness of politics and central planning.

I've gotten neg repped for it before and will probably again this time...

People call us Paulbots for a reason - we like to see no fault in our own messiah. But I have always said, sometimes his choice of people surrounding him has pointed to a lack of discernment. While grace and forgiveness can be good for personal relationships, it doesn't work as well in politics. And family should not be running the campaign.

[R.G]

Iowa Senator, I'm from Iowa and I think of Senator Grassley and Democrat Harkin. They have both been there forever. This guy must be really old.

He is from Milo, never heard of Milo, Iowa. Maybe former State Senator would have been a better title. That's what the Des Moines Register calls him.

[William Tell]

Iowa Senator, I'm from Iowa and I think of Senator Grassley and Democrat Harkin. They have both been there forever. This guy must be really old.

He is from Milo, never heard of Milo, Iowa. Maybe former State Senator would have been a better title. That's what the Des Moines Register calls him.

He was a State Senator.

[thoughtomator]

Smells like Jesse Benton to me.

Me too! I had a bad feeling about that guy from the very beginning.

[phill4paul]

Where's our resident expert?

This is just the way the game has to be played. The main point to take away from this is that gains were made. We need to raise more funds through those that have an excellent record of collecting them. This just goes to show how strong we have become.

[Anti Federalist]

Where's our resident expert?

Under indictment?

[klamath]

One thing is certain a Ron Paul presidency would be going into its first scandal. "What did the president know and when did he know it?"

[Badger Paul]

"After Sorenson publicly switched his endorsement, Paul’s campaign routed the state senator a total of $73,000 in 2012, transferring the payments through a film production company and another company to conceal the intended recipient, according to court filings. Sorenson wanted the payments kept secret because of Iowa Senate ethics rules that prohibit sitting senators from accepting payments from a political campaign, according to court papers.

Smoking gun right there. The money was laundered. Wasn't a jewlery store involved too?

Sorenson is facing five to 20 in a Federal pen. You think he plead guilty so he could do some easy time? My guess is the Feds will be happy see him pay a fine and pick up trash on the highway for a year. They've got bigger fish to fry.

If I'm Jesse Benton I'm asking Mitch for some D.C legal referrals right about now. Might as well get something out being a glorified gofer.

"Yup, this sort of thing will destroy Rand if it happens again."

It will happen again if he continues to employ the same people. I think Rand can do better than Benton and Tate and the parasites at Sabre Communications.