kaboom.
Posted on 08/27/2014 7:07:00 PM PDT by iowamark
DES MOINES, Iowa — A former state lawmaker accused of accepting payments to change his support to a different presidential candidate in the 2012 election cycle has pleaded guilty to two federal charges.
The Department of Justice says Kent Sorenson, a former Republican state senator, admitted to receiving “under-the-table” payments from Ron Paul’s campaign committee in return for switching his support and services from candidate Michele Bachmann.
The payments totaled about $73,000 and were made monthly in the amount of around $8,000. They were concealed by first sending the money to a film production company, then through another company — and finally was paid out to Sorenson and his wife.
Sorenson pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of causing a federal campaign committee to falsely report its expenditures to the Federal Election Commission and one count of obstruction of justice in connection with the concealed expenditures.
He faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A judge will decide his sentence, but a date for sentencing has not been scheduled.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department says this is an “extremely rare if not unprecedented” case.
Sorenson resigned his Iowa Senate seat on October 2nd after an investigation by an independent counsel for the Iowa Senate Ethics Committee found “probable cause” that his actions in connection with the case had violated Senate rules.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the case.
Iowa Senate Ethics Committee Report:
http://localtvwhotv.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/state-senator-kent-sorenson-vol-1.pdf
http://localtvwhotv.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/state-senator-kent-sorenson-vol-2.pdf
“The payments totaled about $73,000 and were made monthly in the amount of around $8,000. They were concealed by first sending the money to a film production company, then through another company — and finally was paid out to Sorenson and his wife. “
Sounds like money laundering by Ron Paul’s campaign.
Paul was never going to escape being a Congressman, like Sheila Jackson Lee and other goofball congresspeople, he couldn’t win statewide office, but he could create a cult, and live a great life.
This is weird.
It would seem the people making payments are also complicit.
And, on a separate note, murderers and rapists get less than 25 years.
And what if Rupaul and his comittee?
Are they not in jeopardy?
It seems like a lot of money for the support of one state senator. Does he really have that much clout to justify $73,000?
Well, well, well.
Not only are the Paul’s fruit cakes,
They are corrupt, as well.
I think that the fact that he was Michelle Bachmann’s Iowa chair made him seem valuable to the Pauls. Bachmann and Paul had finished Numbers 1 and 2 at the Ames Straw Poll in 2011.
When is someone gonna charge Paul and his henchmen for offering these bribes?
my question is what did they report on taxes for that money? geez now we are giving the DOJ a way to lawfare Paul. too bad
ping!
Sad.
Just weeks before switching candidates, Sorenson made news:
http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/12/20/two-leaders-of-the-family-leader-endorse-santorum-audio/
““I do regret that one erstwhile friend and culture warrior has threatened to, ‘Burn Bob’s body, drag it through the streets and hang it from a bridge,’ if Bob doesn’t endorse who that person wants him to endorse,” Hurley said. “Unfortunately, this individual claims to follow the ‘good book’ which says things like, ‘Let all anger, bitterness and malice be put away from you.’”
Hurley refused, when asked by a reporter, to name the person he quoted — but other sources indicate the statement was made by State Senator Kent Sorenson, the Iowa chairman for Michele Bachman’s campaign...”
No Paultards went to jail for subverting the democratic process in caucuses and conventions in NV, IA, MN, etc., so why should they go to jail for outright bribery?
The day ain’t over yet my friend. Sorenson cut a deal it seems, and names will be forthcoming no doubt. The oil is just the right temperature, and the popcorn is starting to pop.
one article I read on this matter indicated that the Plea Bargain included an agreement that Mrs. Sorenson would not be charged. But it failed to say what else was in the Plea. Kent was the “small potato” in this mess,,, and I would expect that the Bigger Fish in the Sea are not sleeping well at night.
What I don’t understand is HOW/WHY they will consider his future testimony as trustworthy after he has admitted being less than truthful with the Special Investigator.
Sorenson had strong potential as a Tea Party candidate. No more. Very disappointing.
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