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Benton, Jesse

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came up 1 25 in wake of j6 pardons; he reoffended after trump pardon

SEE GT AM PAC 2 MILLION$ CHINESE C3-4 LAUNDER

JESSE BENTON CARL HIGBIE?

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GGL 5 26

[### Appeals court upholds conviction of GOP operative who ...

Politico

https://www.politico.com › news › 2024/04/19 › trump...](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/trump-russian-money-appeals-court-00153339)

Apr 19, 2024 — Jesse Benton played leading roles in the presidential campaigns of Ron and Rand Paul and worked briefly as Mitch McConnell's campaign ...

AI Overview

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Jesse Benton (often referred to as Jessie Benton) is a Republican political operative who was convicted in 2022 of federal campaign finance violations for illegally funneling foreign money into Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

CNN +1

The 2016 Russian Donation Scheme

Department of Justice (.gov) +1

Politico +3

Prior Convictions & Presidential Pardon

The Week +1

Career Background

Politico +4

For a breakdown of the trial and the details surrounding his conviction involving foreign funds:

2:38

[GOP Operatives Charged Over Russian's Donation To Trump

MS NOW

YouTube• Sep 21, 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQrQ13WGeMc)

Appeals court upholds conviction of GOP operative ... - Politico

Apr 19, 2024 — Jesse Benton played leading roles in the presidential campaigns of Ron and Rand Paul and worked briefly as Mitch McConnell's campa...

Politico

GOP operative gets 1.5 years in prison for facilitating illegal ...

Feb 17, 2023 — ... Trump's presidential campaign in 2016. Jessie Benton, who worked for the pro-Trump super PAC and was a longtime aide to former...

CNN

Political Consultant Sentenced for Scheme Involving Illegal ...

Feb 17, 2023 — Because Benton falsely claimed to have given the contribution himself, the relevant campaign entities unwittingly filed reports wi...

Department of Justice (.gov)

GOP consultant gets prison for arranging Russian contribution to ...

Feb 17, 2023 — GOP campaign consultant sentenced to 18 months for arranging Russian contribution to Trump campaign * Judge sentences political co...

USA Today

Conviction upheld for operative who funneled Russian money to ...

Apr 22, 2024 — It's not. To be sure, that is a controversy, but it's not this controversy. In fact, as best as I can tell, it's not even clear if...

MS NOW

United States v. Benton, No. 23-3028 (D.C. Cir. 2024) :: Justia

Apr 19, 2024 — In 2016, Jesse Benton, a political operative, received funds from Roman Vasilenko, a foreign national, and contributed those funds...

Justia Law

GOP operative pardoned by Trump convicted of funneling Russian ...

Nov 17, 2022 — GOP operative pardoned by Trump convicted of funneling Russian money to Trump campaign. ... Jesse Benton, a former top aide to Sen...

The Week

GOP campaign aide convicted in Iowa gets prison for arranging ...

Feb 17, 2023 — In 2016, Benton served as chief strategist for Great America PAC, a committee supporting Trump. Benton had been convicted of simil...

Yahoo

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an raw 11 22

Federal prosecutors have obtained a conviction of a longtime GOP strategist who illegally helped a Russian businessman funnel money to Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

"Jesse Benton, 44, was pardoned by Trump in 2020 for a different campaign finance crime, months before he was indicted again on six counts related to facilitating an illegal foreign campaign donation. He was found guilty Thursday on all six counts," The Washington Post reported. "The evidence at trial showed Benton bought a $25,000 ticket to a September 2016 Republican National Committee (RNC) event on behalf of Roman Vasilenko, a Russian naval officer turned multilevel marketer."

Vasilenko received a photo with Trump at the time, while he was running for parliament in Russia.

"Benton began his career on the GOP’s libertarian fringe as an aide to former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), whose granddaughter is Benton’s wife. He gained mainstream credibility helping Paul’s son, Rand Paul (R-KS), win a Senate seat in 2010 and was hired by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s 2014 reelection campaign," The Post reported. "But Benton resigned before that election amid an investigation into whether an Iowa state senator was bribed to support Ron Paul in the 2012 presidential race."

Sen. Paul helped achieve a pardon for Benton two days before Christmas in 2020, when Trump was a lame duck after losing to Joe Biden, The Post reported at the time.

At the same time, Trump pardoned GOP operatives Paul Manafort and Roger Stone along with Charles Kushner, the father of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.

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no lnx an

Two longtime Republican operatives indicted — and there's a Russia connection: report

Sarah K. Burris and Raw Story September 21, 2021

Reuters legal reporter Jan Wolfe revealed Monday evening that two Republican Party operatives have been indicted after helping Russians donate to political campaigns in 2016.

The Justice Department revealed in a statement that Kentucky's Jesse Benton and Florida's Roy Douglas "Doug" Wead were "charged with one count of conspiracy to solicit and cause an illegal campaign contribution by a foreign national, effect a conduit contribution, and cause false records to be filed with the FEC, one count of contribution by a foreign national, one count of contribution in the name of another and three counts of making false entries in an official record."

Benton was just pardoned by former President Donald Trump for a bribery scandal while working for Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) in Iowa in 2012. In that scheme, Benton and colleague John Tate bribed state officials to change their endorsements to Paul for the Iowa Caucus.

After being pardoned for that, Benton is now being indicted again along with Wead for arranging for a Russian National who wanted to donate to a 2016 presidential campaign to be able to meet with the candidate.

Developing: Two longtime GOP operatives have been indicted. They allegedly helped a Russian make a campaign contrib… https://t.co/pWOcezMw9U

— Jan Wolfe (@Jan Wolfe) 1632178809.0

"Benton reached out to individuals at Political Committee B, the national party committee for Political Candidate 1's political party," the indictment explains. "He then arranged for Foreign National 1 to attend a political fundraising event and get a photograph with Political Candidate 1, in exchange for a political contribution to Political Committee C, a joint fundraising committee comprised of the campaign committee for Political Candidate 1, Political Committee B, and related state committees. Foreign National 1 ultimately wired $100,000 to Company A, a political consulting firm owned by Benton."

He then tried to disguise the wire transfer by labeling it "consulting services" and crafted a "cover story."

Wead went to the fundraiser with the foreign national Sept. 22, 2016 with a translator (Foreign National 2). They all three had their photos taken with the candidate.

"Following the event, Benton repeatedly represented to a consultant working for Political Committee B and Political Committee C that he had already sent the promised contribution for the event, but in actuality he delayed sending the contribution," said the DOJ. "Benton ultimately filled out a contributor form, indicated that he was the contributor, and used a personal credit card to make a $25,000 contribution. Benton retained the remaining $75,000 of Foreign National 1's money. Because Benton falsely claimed to have given the contribution himself, three different political committees unwittingly filed reports with the FEC that inaccurately reported Benton, rather than Foreign National 1, as the source of the funds."

Read the full report at the DOJ.

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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/24/exclusive-investigation-donald-trump-faces-foreign-donor-fundrai/

no links

Telegraph   News

Exclusive investigation: Donald Trump faces foreign donor fundraising scandal

Investigations team

24 OCTOBER 2016• 8:10PM

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is facing a fundraising scandal after a Telegraph investigation exposed how key supporters were prepared to accept illicit donations from foreign backers.

Senior figures involved with the Great America PAC, one of the leading "independent" groups organising television advertisements and grassroots support for the Republican nominee, sought to channel $2 million from a Chinese donor into the campaign to elect the billionaire despite laws prohibiting donations from foreigners.

In return, undercover reporters purporting to represent the fictitious donor were assured that he would obtain “influence” if Mr Trump made it to the White House.

Last week Eric Beach, the PAC’s co-chairman, confirmed to the reporters at an event in Las Vegas that their client's support would be "remembered" if Mr Trump became president.

Eric Beach, co-chair of Great America PAC told undercover reporters that a fictitious Chinese donor would be "remembered" by Donald Trump CREDIT: THE TELEGRAPH

The disclosure raises questions about the origins of money being ploughed into supporting Mr Trump’s candidacy.

The PAC “consultant” who brokered the deal proposed using as a conduit a type of organisation he admitted is seen as being responsible for the “’dark money’ in politics”.

The revelations also highlight the apparent desperation of Mr Trump's supporters to finance the final weeks of his campaign amid a series of controversies and polls showing him losing in key states.

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Mr Trump once labelled Super PACs a “disaster” that have “total control of the candidates”, and has criticised Mrs Clinton for relying on outside groups.

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Undercover reporters posing as consultants acting for a Chinese benefactor approached specific pro-Trump and pro-Clinton fundraisers and groups after receiving information that individuals were involved in hiding foreign donations.

Sources also said PACs, “independent” organisations that can raise unlimited sums of money to lobby for or against particular candidates, were being used to circumvent rules.

The pro-Clinton organisations did not respond to initial approaches. But earlier this month an undercover reporter spoke by telephone to Eric Beach, co-chairman of the pro-Trump Great America PAC, which has the backing of Rudy Giuliani, one of Mr Trump’s most senior advisers, as well as the billionaire's son Eric.

Undercover reporters were invited to a Great America PAC event at Stoney's Rockin Country bar in Las Vegas

The reporter said a Chinese client wished to donate to the PAC to support Mr Trump's campaign.

Mr Beach appeared interested despite raising concerns about his nationality and saying he would need to know the donor’s identity.

He suggested the donation could be put through a social welfare organisation called a 501(c)(4) - or C4 - , which unlike a PAC is not subject to a blanket ban on receiving foreign money, and not required to name donors. He stressed in an email that "any path we recommend is legal".

The reporter then received an email from Jesse Benton, a senior figure at the PAC until being convicted in May in connection with buying a senator’s endorsement on a prior campaign. He said he was a “consultant” and that Mr Beach had not wanted a “paper trail” of contact. He and the PAC later denied that he had worked for it at all since May.

Mr Benton proposed channelling the donation through his own company to mask its origin. It would then be passed on to two C4s before being donated by them to the PAC, or simply used to fund projects the PAC had already planned.

Jesse Benton described himself as a "consultant" for Great America PAC  CREDIT: THE TELEGRAPH

Mr Benton said the $2 million, for which he would submit an invoice for “appearances” would “definitely allow us to spend two million more dollars on digital and television advertising for Trump.” The Chinese benefactor's generosity would be “whispered into Mr Trump’s ear.” He said he had previously helped US donors conceal donations.

Mr Beach then said at the Vegas event last Wednesday: "Trump knows that you know, people have stuck with him … I’m not gonna twist your arm or anything,  I just think that there’s no way that this group, and you guys have been participating indirectly or directly, won’t be remembered."

Eric Beach with Donald Trump in December 2015 CREDIT: FACEBOOK

Mr Benton denied any “unethical” behaviour. He claimed he spoke to the reporters after a “business referral” from Mr Beach and proposed a  “public affairs contract” with his firm “having determined money could not go into a 501(c)4”.

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Dan Backer, counsel to the PAC, denied that Mr Beach asked Mr Benton to act for him and said Mr Benton “has not had a role with the PAC since May and does not speak for it”. The "professional referral" for "Mr Benton's own benefit" was so that "Mr Benton could explore legal options for your reporters' alleged client".

He continued: “Mr Benton has not solicited any contributions to the PAC that I am aware of, nor has he been asked to do so.”

He suggested Mr Benton had simply engaged in “puffery and self-promotion”, adding that “the conduct of the PAC and Mr. Beach’s conduct was appropriate, ethical and legal at all times.”

Mr Backer added that "The PAC has never ... solicited or accepted contributions from a foreign national or entity" and said Mr Beach had been suggesting how "a US company with a foreign parent company could potentially engage in legal political activity".

Asked if Mr Trump's campaign was aware of the scheme suggested by Mr Benton, his spokeswoman said: " We publicly disavowed this group back in April.  This is public via Federal Election Commission filings.

How it unfolded: Pro-Trump fundraisers agree to accept illicit foreign donation

Taking to a podium in Colorado last week, Donald Trump resumed a line of attack he had long used against his opponent: “Her international donors control her every move”.

Yet fundraisers supporting his bid for the White House were in the process of finalising the details of a $2 million donation from a Chinese benefactor seeking unspecified future “influence” under a Trump presidency. Under US law it is illegal for a foreign national to make any contribution in connection with an election.

But when an undercover reporter telephoned Eric Beach, the co-chairman of the Great America PAC, one of the leading “independent” groups financing campaign work for Mr Trump, to convey his fictitious Chinese client’s desire to make such a donation, his approach did not appear unwelcome.

Eric Beach spoke to undercover reporters at a Great America PAC event in Las Vegas

In an initial call on October 4 the reporter explained that the benefactor wanted to donate to support Mr Trump’s campaign, “but he’s not a US national.”

Mr Beach agreed that making such a donation to the PAC could be difficult. But he did, however, have a suggestion involving a 501(c)(4) – a tax-exempt “social welfare organisation” – which he described as a “non-disclose entity” through which the client could make a contribution for a “specific purpose”.

You shouldn’t put any of this on paper

Jesse Benton

Mr Beach’s response, along with his later statements on the matter, appeared ambivalent for someone who was clearly aware of the ban on foreign nationals making donations in connection with US elections.

Despite warning about the need to know the origins of the money, he was already aware that the donor was a foreign national who would naturally be banned from donating for his stated purpose.

Political observers and campaign groups have raised concerns about 501(c)(4)s, labelling them “dark money” groups because, unlike PACs, they are not required to name donors.

A PAC with a “sister” 501(c)(4) could therefore encourage donors to give to that body. The 501(c)(4) could then contribute to the PAC, or simply spend the money on a project that the group would otherwise have funded.

That scheme was subsequently laid out to two reporters at a meeting in a New York hotel by Jesse Benton, a long-time Republican strategist, who emailed the reporter with the subject “From Eric Beach” and the opening line: “Eric Beach asked me to reach out”.

Great America PAC is a Donald Trump supporting super PAC CREDIT: REUTERS

Mr Benton was a senior figure at the PAC until he was convicted in May in connection with buying a senator’s endorsement for Ron Paul’s presidential campaign in 2012.

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At the meeting on October 13, he explained that Mr Beach, 38, needed to maintain a “deliberate disengagement”.

Mr Benton's proposal was for the Chinese client to pay his $2 million, via the reporters’ Singapore-based communications consultancy, to Mr Benton’s own public affairs firm, Titan Strategies LLC, in order to mask the fact that the money was coming from abroad.

He set out the scheme in writing in an email on October 5 in which he said he had “checked with our attorney, and there is no prohibition on what I propose”, although “he is giving one final review for full legal vetting.”

At the meeting more than a week later, he explained how he would direct the funds evenly to two 501(c)(4)s which could donate the money to the Great America PAC in their name, or spend it on activities the PAC would otherwise have funded.  One of the organisations was Vision for America, which is run by Mr Beach.

“I’ll send money from my company to both,” Mr Benton said.

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Undercover reporters met Eric Beach at a Great America PAC event held at Stoney's Rockin' Country bar in Las Vegas

Mr Benton said: “I don’t know if you ever hear journalists wring their hands about ‘dark money’ in politics  - they’re talking about 501(c)(4)s.”

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He told the reporters: “There’s no prohibition against what we’re doing, but you could argue that the letter of the law says that it is originating from a foreign source and even though it can legally go into a 501(c)(4) then  it shouldn’t be done”.

Discussing how the money would be spent on pro-Trump grassroots campaigning as well as television advertising, he warned: “You shouldn’t put any of this on paper.”

He suggested that the $2 million paid to his firm could be billed simply as “a large retainer” for consulting work. He then sent a $2 million invoice, for the sake of “appearances”, for his services providing “analysis of the American political and business landscape”.

In one of a series of telephone conversations over a two-week period, he explained that the work, which “doesn’t cost any money” apart from a “couple hours of my time” would be reports on the spending of the 501(c)(4)s and PAC.

“It would be one more way … for your client to have an assurance that quality work’s being done with his money. You know, it would give you a window into what the c4s and the super PAC are doing.”

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump at the final debate in Las Vegas CREDIT: POOL

And the fictitious Chinese benefactor’s generosity would not go unrewarded should the donor a require a line of communication to Mr Trump if he became president.

“We can have that whispered into Mr Trump’s ear whenever your client feels it’s appropriate,” he said. After a telephone conversation with Mr Beach, Mr Benton said that the PAC wished to invite the reporters to a party the group was hosting in Vegas on October 19, the night of the final presidential debate.

He later passed on a briefing on the event prepared by Mr Beach. Mr Benton warned that he would have to stay away from Vegas because “everything that we’re doing is legal by the book but there’s perceptions and some grey areas.”

Jesse Benton speaking to undercover reporters in New York CREDIT: TELEGRAPH

Mr Beach also needed to be kept “deliberately ignorant” of the “exact arrangements”. But at the event the PAC's co-chairman clearly understood their client’s apparent request for an assurance that Mr Trump would remember his contribution.

“One thing he has to understand is, what you guys have to understand is: you can get credit, but don’t overdo it with the influence,” he said. The particular sticking point was the highly discreet method by which the client would be donating.

You’re going to get credit but your ‘non-disclosed’ [donation] is not disclosed.  Not just for your benefit, but for everyone’s benefit.

Eric Beach, Great America PAC co-chair

“I would just manage your expectations, say: ‘you’re going to get credit but your ‘non-disclosed’ [donation] is not disclosed.  Not just for your benefit, but for everyone’s benefit.’”

Then Mr Beach’s ambivalence, or possibly confusion, about the proposal appeared to return. “I would never let you guys give to the PAC, to give to the C4, because that’s illegal,” he added. “See the C4 is technically not illegal, but it’s not – it’s just not the best way to go.”

Lawrence Noble, who was general counsel at the US Federal Election Commission for 13 years and is now at the Campaign Legal Centre, a DC-based advocacy group, said: "If there is evidence that representatives of a super PAC were soliciting or knowingly accepting foreign national money and helping arrange for it to get into the super PAC through a 501(c)(4) organisation, then it should be investigated by the FEC and by the Department of Justice as a criminal violation."

Mr Benton denied any “unethical” behaviour and said he was not “an agent of Great America PAC”, while Dan Backer, counsel to the PAC said Mr Benton “has not had a role with the PAC since May and does not speak for it”. Mr Backer added that “the conduct of the PAC and Mr. Beach’s conduct was appropriate, ethical and legal at all times.”

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bribe sorenson iowa 2012

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/04/rand-paul-2016-kent-sorenson-iowa

Update, 8/5/15: The Justice Department has indicted Paul world operatives Dimitri Kesari, John Tate, and Jesse Bentonon numerous charges including making false statements, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice in connection with the alleged scheme to payoff then-Iowa state senator Kent Sorenson for his endorsement of Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential bid. Read the indictment here.

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Like Trump’s campaign itself, the outside groups supporting him have been more disjointed, with several organizations appearing to compete for the attention of donors and the favor of the candidate.

Make America Number 1 is primarily financed by conservative billionaire and Renaissance Technologies CEO Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah, who have provided $13.5 million of the $16 million raised by the super PAC thus far. The group supported Ted Cruz in the primary, when it was run by Kellyanne Conway, now Trump’s campaign manager.

Great America PAC is an unusual outside spending group in that it relies substantially on small donations of $200 or less. It has suffered some hits in leadership, with Tea Party activist Amy Kremer leaving the group in May;its senior adviser, Jesse Benton, was convicted (and sentenced this week) on federal charges of public corruption. It has raised $11.2 million and says it has spent $7.2 million on independent expenditures, including online, mail and television advertising. The PAC’s treasurer is attorney Dan Backer; questions have been raised about the legitimacy of other super PACs with which Backer has been involved.

Several other outside groups have identified themselves as supporting the Trump effort, but they are generally small and appear less organized. But the Trump family doesn’t seem to have a cohesive strategy on this front, with the candidate’s two sons headlining fundraisers for two different groups. That has stoked the donor confusion: If they can’t pick a PAC, how will contributors know which one to fund?

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http://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/the-fast-rise-and-fall-of-jesse-benton-rand-pauls-most-loyal#.uiLZBA8v

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hen Jesse Benton signed up to manage the reelection campaign of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), it was seen as a win-win. Good for McConnell, who needed help broadening his appeal in the tea party. Good for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who needed a boost in the establishment.

Turns out it was good for Benton, too. At least, financially speaking.

A review of campaign finance records shows Benton made more than $500,000 working for McConnell from the beginning of 2013 through the end of last month. The former top Ron Paul and Rand Paul strategist made most of his money from McConnell's campaign. The rest came from work he did for McConnell's leadership PAC.

McConnell's campaign paid Benton's consulting firm more than $402,000 during the last 21 months for strategy consulting and research, records show. That's substantially more than a typical Senate campaign manager takes home in salary in a comparable period.

As liberal blogger Joe Sonka, who dug into the numbers earlier this week, pointed out, McConnell's campaign paid Benton's firm days after he resigned this summer. Benton, as Sonka noted, has also been paid by the Kentucky Republican Party.

To put Benton's compensation into further perspective:

-- It's more than double McConnell's annual $193,400 Senate salary.

-- It's more than double what President Obama campaign manager Jim Messina made in 2012.

-- It's more than Obama's annual $400,000 salary.

McConnell's leadership PAC, the Bluegrass Committee, paid JRB Consulting LLC about $110,000 last year and this year, campaign finance reports show. The address for JRB matches the address where Benton is registered to vote in Texas, records show.

McConnell started the 2014 election cycle facing the prospect of a tough primary. The tea party was eager to unseat him. So he tapped Benton's deep ties to the tea party movement to help navigate the rough waters

It worked out. Rand Paul -- eyeing a 2016 White House bid and on the lookout for new allies -- endorsed McConnell. Tea party challenger Matt Bevin never picked up steam. McConnell easily won his primary.

Benton resigned from McConnell's campaign in late August amid a federal probe into an endorsement-pay-scheme related to the 2012 presidential campaigns of Paul and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

McConnell's campaign did not respond to requests for a comment about the disbursements to Benton's firm. Benton did not respond to an e-mail asking about his compensation, either.

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Ron Paul's political career may have ended, but his legacy survives. Devoted followers carry on in his name, and his son, a U.S. senator, is mentioned as a possible 2016 presidential candidate.

And one individual in the Paul orbit has moved into the GOP mainstream after his association with the family. Jesse Benton has been part of Paul's political network since 2007, when he joined the candidate's presidential campaign as a spokesman. Before long, the connection became familial as well: He married Paul's granddaughter, Valori Pyeatt, in 2008. 

Over the next few campaign cycles, Benton worked for two of Ron Paul's congressional campaigns, another of his presidential bids, his leadership PAC (Liberty PAC) and Campaign for Liberty, Paul's 501(c)(4) nonprofit. In the middle of all that, he was also the campaign chairman for Rand Paul's successful 2010 Senate race, replacing the previous person in that slot after a flap over remarks the candidate made about the Civil Rights Act. 

So it was no small thing when Benton jumped horses last fall, leaving the Paul organizations in order to run Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) 2014 Senate campaign. 

Benton leaves behind him a trail of controversy, with Paul's hardest-core tea party and libertarian acolytes freely critiquing how he ran Paul's campaigns. He was accused of not raising sufficient rabble, being overly concerned about positioning himself for his next career move and drawing too much money from the Paul network for himself.

We can't settle most of those questions. But we can make an accounting of how much Benton has earned from all the Paul organizations, now that year-end and other campaign finance and tax reports have been filed. We found that over the last three election cycles, Benton has been paid about $1.1 million by the various Paul entities -- although more than $450,000 of it was described as reimbursement for expenses he incurred, most of them unidentified.

Here's how it breaks out: In the 2008 cycle, he received more than $78,000 in salary and expense reimbursement working for Ron Paul's presidential and congressional campaign committees. Toward the end of that year his wife came on the payroll, too, bringing the total for the pair to more than $86,000.  

Benton's compensation increased in 2010. Rand Paul's campaign gave him north of $142,000 for political consulting and salary. He also brought in nearly $22,000 in consulting fees and salary from Liberty PAC, and received nearly $28,000 from Ron Paul's congressional campaign, along with close to $22,000 in reimbursement for mileage and other unidentified expenses. Benton's wife made more than $30,000 working for her dad's campaign, along with another $1,500 in reimbursements.

But Benton's most lucrative cycle was the one that just ended. From January 2011 through the end of 2012 he received more than $682,000 from Ron Paul's presidential and congressional campaign committees and Liberty PAC. In fairness, just $226,000 was described as "salary" or "consulting." Close to $456,000 of it was described as reimbursement.

What accounts for the huge reimbursement figure? "Charter airlines was the big bulk of it," Benton told OpenSecrets.org. "I put charter airlines for the campaign onto my personal AmEx and got reimbursed for it. That practice stopped as soon as we got a proper line of credit." 

In addition, Benton's consulting firm was paid another $2,000 from Rand Paul's leadership PAC,Reinventing a New Direction.

And in 2008, 2010 and 2011, Benton brought in a combined $102,000 as a director of Campaign for Liberty. The nonprofit's tax filings for those years show that Benton was putting in 55 hours per week, seemingly a physical impossibility given all his other sources of employment in the Paul network during those years. But John Tate, Campaign for Liberty's president, said that in 2010 and 2011, Benton was on leave of absence for parts of the year; he worked 55 hours during the weeks he was on the payroll. According to Tate, Benton's duties included communications and social media.

Tate said Benton worked for the group in 2009 as well, but the copy viewed by OpenSecrets.org of Campaign for Liberty's tax form covering that year was blank in the section where key employees and their salaries are supposed to be identified.

McConnell's hiring of Benton has been touted by some as a smart move that could help head off any primary challenge from a tea party candidate. Rand Paul, after all, beat McConnell's hand-picked GOP establishment candidate in the race for Kentucky's other Senate seat in 2010. Now Paul and the minority leader are making nice.

Benton hasn't stopped attracting controversy even with his move to a new boss, though it's of a different sort: The *Washington's Post*Fact Checker last week reported that Benton falsely claimed, in an email to McConnell supporters, that President Obama's proposal for universal background checks on gun sales is "a thinly-veiled national gun registration scheme...to ensure federal government minders gain every bureaucratic tool they need for full-scale confiscation...It is almost hard to believe the sheer breadth and brazenness of this attempt to gut our Constitution."

The truth is, it's almost impossible for the feds to set up any sort of gun registry -- thanks largely to a law that McConnell himself had a lot to do with passing.

The Post gave Benton four Pinnochios, its worst rating.