The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has obtained “sworn testimony and documents” that link Michele Bachmann to various criminal actions, such as wire and mail fraud.
In mid-May, the FBI joined a criminal investigation launched by the Iowa Supreme Court to determine whether or not Michele Bachmann had a direct hand in ethics violations such as paying off former Iowa chairman and state Sen. Keith Sorenson (R-Iowa) during her 2012 presidential election.
Members of Bachmann’s own camp stepped forward and claimed that improper and unethical payments were made to Sorenson.
Former Bachmann campaign Chief of Staff Andy Parrish made many damning claims in a sworn affidavit back in April. He stated that he “personally recruited . . . Sorenson,” Sorenson wanted to be paid for his efforts, and that “Congresswoman Bachmann knew of and approved this arrangement.” Sorenson is alleged to have received up to $7,500 per month to help Bachmann win the 2012 Iowa caucuses, which she lost.
According to the Iowa Senate Code of Ethics, accepting any kind of compensation from PACs is prohibited and anyone found guilty of such a violation will face prosecution.
It’s likely to be some time before anything definitive that would call for a prosecution will surface from the investigation. All the while, Bachmann and Sorenson are still denying any wrongdoing on their part.
Joshua de Leon is a writer and researcher with Ring of Fire.
