Leaders of the Paul and Romney campaigns alleged that caucus organizers and Santorum supporters shut down the meeting after they realized that Paul and Romney backers together had enough people present to achieve a majority and split the county's delegates 50-50.

None would have gone to Santorum or Gingrich under that scenario worked out at the scene by the Paul and Romney forces.

Romney and Paul campaign leaders also said they had agreed to use their joint strength in votes to pick Stafford, the Paul activist, as caucus chairman.

Dokes said he and other caucus organizers had wanted to allot the delegates on a proportional basis based on the relative numbers of those attending supporting each of the four candidates.

Police said about 2,500 people took part, but the county committee said a smaller number - 964 - registered as caucus participants as they walked into the building.

Although they were asked then to declare which candidate they supported, the county committee has refused to release that breakdown.