Ron Paul accuses feds of trying to hurt Rand's campaign

Grant Rodgers | The Des Moines Register

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul forcefully accused federal prosecutors on Wednesday of timing indictments against three of his former campaign staffers specifically to hurt the political aspirations of his son, Rand.

Paul, a former U. S. congressman from Texas, came to Des Moines' federal courthouse to testify for prosecutors against two of his former top staffers, Jesse Benton and Dimitri Kesari. The two operatives are charged in a scheme to illegally hide payments made to former Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson, allegedly for his endorsement of Paul's 2012 bid.

But Paul was not happy to be testifying against the two, particularly because Benton is married to his granddaughter, he said. The former congressman went on to say he believes federal prosecutors intentionally announced indictments on Aug. 5, one day before the first Republican primary debate that featured Rand Paul.

"I don't consider that a coincidence," he said. "I consider that more than seeking justice."

Paul left the courthouse without speaking to reporters. But he told the jurors that he had no knowledge of his campaign making payments to Sorenson. He said he'd still support Benton, and that he doesn't currently feel "victimized" by his former staffers.

"Maybe that attitude will change, but right now I don't feel victimized," he said. "I'm not testifying for the defense, I'm testifying to the prosecution. And that's been a heavy burden for my family."

The original indictment also included charges against John Tate, Paul's former campaign manager. But those charges were dismissed ahead of trial.