[EL] Criminal probe of Coordination?

[Colin C. Smith]

A few brief comments about this particular issue:

I agree the DM Register story linked below is not the model of clarity on this case.  As background, for those who have connections to political law practice in Iowa, this story has been percolating for a while.  Until now, it has mostly been focused on state ethics law issues and alleged violations thereof.  But to clarify, I believe there was a federal FEC complaint filed in this case that involved to the FBI to some degree earlier this year.  See here<http://theiowarepublican.com/2013/fbi-investigating-bachmann-campaign-including-alleged-sorenson-payments/> (qualification: I take no responsibility for the accuracy or falsity of the information contained in this link as I am not affiliated in any way with this blog, although it is widely read in Iowa political circles).  I am assuming, without any inside knowledge of the situation, that this is related in some regard.

To be prudent, I'd like to state the following for the record:  (1) I, and my firm, are in no way connected to former Sen. Sorenson and the alleged actions he is accused of taking; (2) I do not claim to have any "insider knowledge" on this issue; (3) Subject to my qualifications in (1) and (2), I think if you look at the Iowa state ethics and campaign disclosure laws, there is a better than fair chance that he committed at least one violation [a recent independent counsel report supports this]; and (4) if one really looks at the record of this case and how it has played out, notwithstanding any philosophical disagreements I, or anyone else, may have about campaign finance law generally, the FBI investigation in question appears to be no small matter.

If anyone really cares, here is a link<http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/10/02/senate-investigator-kent-sorenson-received-payment-from-bachmann-campaign-his-denials-may-constitute-a-felony/article> that has the full Iowa independent counsel report giving the broad background on this matter.  If anyone has any questions on this, I would be glad to tell you anything I know. (I can't promise that I know every detail regarding this matter - there has been much local press coverage and some cocktail party chatter, but beyond that, I am out of the loop).

Regards,

-Colin

COLIN C. SMITH
Attorney at Law
Nyemaster Goode, P.C.
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From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu [mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Hoersting
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2013 7:14 PM
To: law-election at uci.edu
Subject: [EL] Criminal probe of Coordination?

A muddled piece from the Des Moines Register suggests (another) DoJ criminal probe of coordination? (Ken Gross spoke of one at PLI. Not sure whether this is the same matter).

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/12/04/fbi-uses-search-warrant-at-kent-sorensons-home/article

--
Stephen M. Hoersting
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