DES MOINES, Iowa The chairman of Ron Paul's 2012 presidential bid was sentenced Tuesday to probation and home confinement rather than prison, and two other top aides were awaiting their sentences for a scheme to cover up campaign payments to a former Iowa state senator who agreed to endorse their boss.
Jesse Benton was sentenced to two years' probation and six months of home confinement, even though prosecutors were seeking years in federal prison.
He was convicted of conspiracy, causing false campaign contribution reports to be filed to the Federal Election Commission and participating in a false statement scheme.
The campaign's manager, John Tate, and deputy manager Dimitri Kesari also were convicted. Tate was also scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday. Kesari's sentencing is set for Wednesday morning.
The men have argued they broke no laws when they paid a video production company, which passed on $73,000 to former state Sen. Kent Sorenson. He dropped support for Michele Bachmann and endorsed Paul six days before the 2012 Iowa caucuses.
Prosecutors said it is illegal to cause a campaign to file inaccurate spending documents.
The men said they were targeted because of their conservative politics and argued campaigns typically don't identify payments to subcontractors of vendors.
They are expected to appeal their convictions to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If the judges rule against the men, they may choose to seek further review of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The three men faced up to 35 years in prison had the judge handed down maximums to be served consecutively.
Benton, 38, of Louisville, Kentucky, is married to Ron Paul's granddaughter, Valori Pyeatt. He also had managed the successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign for Paul's son, Rand Paul, in Kentucky and served as campaign manager for Sen. Mitch McConnell's 2014 re-election, but resigned that summer as the investigation intensified in Iowa.
Speaking before the men were sentenced, an Iowa political consultant said the case is a stark reminder to anyone in the early presidential contest states including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina that they'll be intensely watched and they should follow the rules carefully.
"What you might get away with doing in a local state legislative campaigns can get you in really deep serious trouble on a presidential campaign if it's exposed," said Craig Robinson, who served on Steve Forbes' presidential campaign in 2000, was state GOP director in 2008 and is publisher of the conservative "The Iowa Republican" blog.
Originally posted here:
Ron Paul aides facing prison time in campaign finance ...
- Chuck Baldwin At Paulfest ~ Ron Paul Is "Bigger" Than Ron Paul - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: Restore the Dollar - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: We Don't Have To Go Back To The Dark Ages Of Authoritarianism~ Stossel FOX Business News - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul ~ What I'm Talking About Is An "Ideological" Revolution! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: The GOP Is "Not My Party" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- GOP Establishment Declares War on Grassroots Activists - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: I'll Be Back! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Delegates FURIOUS over RNC Betrayal - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Will NOT Be Silenced! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Female Robot Censors Ron Paul's Nevada Victory - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- "Ron Paul light" Tribute Video Played at the GOP Convention - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul RNC Tribute Video - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul on NOT Supporting Romney-Ryan Ticket - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- "Republican Officials Clearly Snubbed Ron Paul" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul's Maine delegates erupt after getting barred from Republican convention. - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul w/ Neil Cavuto ~ I'm Endorsing Peace [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul ~ The Rules Are Being Changed In The Middle Of The Game - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: We Are the Future! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Paul Ryan's Message to Ron Paul Supporters - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Local Ron Paul supporter experienced highs, lows of GOP convention [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Dan Halloran Keeps Up the Good Fight for Ron Paul Supporters [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2012]
- Stockman: "Ron Paul Is Right: The Fed, And The Lunatics That Run It, Are The Heart Of The Problem" [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2012]
- Ron Paul One Of The Most Corrupt Members Of Congress, Report Finds [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- Why Ron Paul's Campaign Manager Is Now Taking A Job With The GOP Establishment [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: "Country Should Panic Over Fed's Decision" [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: We Can't Remake the World with Bribes and Bombs! - Video [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Ron Paul: Foreign Aid Leads to 'More Trouble, More Debt' - Video [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- Johnson: Paul write-in 'meaningless' [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Ron Paul says interventionist foreign policy undermining U.S. national security [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- At Liberty Conference, Ron Paul Supporters Move Forward [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Ron Paul camp had busy August [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- WILD CARD - RON PAUL STILL IN RACE REVOLUTION ON - - Video [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: How the Fed's "Wise Gurus" Devastate America - Video [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Ron Paul on Cavuto 9/28/12 - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Ron Paul’s underserved cult [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Ron Paul Supporters Contemplate a Write-in Campaign [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Ron Paul: Why Governments Hate Gold and Love Fiat Money - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: I Don't Think Romney Will Have an Epiphany - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- The Real Debate: Obama vs. Ron Paul - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: I Haven't Decided Yet Who I'll Be Voting For - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Year of changes [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: The Campaign Continues! We Must Stop the Enemies of Liberty! - Video [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Political Kombat '12: Romney Vs. Gingrich and Ron Paul - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Gives His Pre-Debate Analysis - CNBC 10/03/2012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2012]
- Krugman's MMMF Question [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2012]
- Outdoors: Area gunsmith, firearms coach Ron Paul Duning in battle for his life [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Ron Paul to Appear in New Film About U.S. Economy [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Won't Endorse Romney, Cites More of Same [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Won't Endorse Romney, Says More of Same [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Ron Paul's district becomes an Election Day fight [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Paul's Texas district becomes Election Day fight [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Sees No Difference Between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Audit the Fed: By Ron Paul, Supported By Mitt Romney and Harry Reid On The Fence: Success Council Slams Harry Reid ... [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: Forget A 3rd Party, We Need A 2nd Party - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Ron Paul backs Ted Yoho [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: 22.8% Real Unemployment! - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Ron Paul to speak Thursday at UVU [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Speaks His Mind On The Fed, Fiscal Cliff, And Romney - CNBC's Futures Rundown 10/11/2012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Gold Coin Encourages Americans To Vote For Ron Paul Via Write In [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Obama, Romney and Federal Reserve independence [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Ron Paul: A Major Event Could Occur during the Next Administration - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Casey For Freedom: Continuing The Ron Paul Message In Maine [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul-Inspired Group Lobbies for Bill Prompted by Paul Reimbursements [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Tight race to succeed Ron Paul growing heated [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul and BP Join Fray with Quiet October Surprises [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul given rock star treatment at UVU [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul given rock star treatment by packed crowd at UVU [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul supporters turn out in droves for speech at UVU [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Halloween October 31, 2012 Houston, TEXAS Full Moon GALVANISM - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Reality Check Special: GOP Creating a Shadow Party [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Reality Check: The story behind the Ron Paul newsletters - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Reality Check: The name of a 'Mystery Writer' of one of Ron Paul's 'Racist' newsletters - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul Halloween - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul's Texas Straight Talk 10-29-12 ~ Let The Markets Clear! - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ron Paul sets fundraising record - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- JEFF FISHER RON PAUL INTERVIEW 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- JEFF FISHER RON PAUL INTERVIEW 1 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Vote for Ron Paul 2012 Buddy Huggins Did - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- POST, RAG, GLYNN FT. RON PAUL - HITS THE FAN PT. 3 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Damn, I Was Smart Enough To Get ID - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]