Individual at Center of the Ron Paul Inc. Scandal Arrested

Former Iowa state Senator  Kent Sorenson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges surrounding the taking of under the table payments from the 2012 Ron Paul presidential campaign  to switch his support from Michelle Bachmann to Ron Paul, is in trouble with the law again.

KCCI is reporting that Sorenson, 43, was arrested Friday night in Warren County, Iowa.  The report said two deputies were injured during the arrest.

Warren County Sheriff Brian Vos told KCCI's Cynthia Fodor that deputies arrested Sorenson at his home near Milo after a passerby called 911.

"Friday night deputies picked up a female subject who was crying," said Vos.

Vos said Sorenson's wife left this house after an argument and started walking down the road near Milo when someone called 911.

"She had redness around her eye and did admit she had been struck by Mr. Sorenson," said Vos.

Sorenson's Attorney F. Montgomery Brown said Sorenson will plead not guilty to the charges.

"I'd like people to know when someone is awaiting federal sentencing. It's stressful for the family going through a financial hardship," said Brown.

Sorenson pleaded guilty to federal charges of obstruction of justice and falsifying federal campaign expenditures.

Kent's wife, Shawnee, sent KCCI a statement on Tuesday about the arrest:

Kent and I have been together for 26 years. We have been under tremendous pressure and stress for several years. With the uncertainty of our future and mounting financial problems from attorney bills and loss of income I chose to have a couple drinks Friday evening, which I now realize was not the right thing to do.

I got extremely upset and was throwing things in my bedroom. When Kent came back to check on me I lashed out in anger and clawed him. He grabbed me trying to calm me down. Because he couldn't he left the room.

Knowing I shouldn't drive I walked down the highway to a relatives home. I did not call police on Kent. I did not want them involved. I told them I would not press charges that Kent looked worse than I did. They said I acted in self defense. I told them I started it. He looked worse.

I called Kents attorney the next day because I was going to bail him out. He said he would do it since I had children to pick up. He then informed me there was a no contact order. I'm tired of the media portraying Kent in a negative light. He has done his best to be a good father, husband and provider for our family despite all the pressures he is facing.

We have been married for 26 years and he is my best friend. When the media shows up at my house to get their story they don't just hurt my best friend they hurt my children and myself. I've repeatedly called the county attorney. I spoke with John he said he wouldn't be handling the case but I should speak with Ruth from his office.

I said she has made it very clear she despises our family because of our conservative political views. I have asked over and over to speak with the prosecuting attorney with no return call. I ask for our family to be left alone in this private matter as my husband is no longer a public official.

Sorenson's sentencing on the federal charges has been delayed. His lawyer says it is a result of an ongoing investigation related to the payments to Sorenson.

On Sunday, I reported that a legal defense fund has been set up by friends of Dimtri Kesari, who appears to be the individual at Ron Paul Inc. who handled the secret payments to Sorenson.

-RW