Jesse Reeves Benton (born October 4, 1977) is an American political operative, writer, and entrepreneur. Benton is closely associated with the Paul family, having served as a campaign manager for both Ron Paul and Rand Paul. He is married to Valori Pyeatt, Ron Paul’s granddaughter.[1]
Benton served as the campaign manager of Republican Mitch McConnell, until resigning on August 29, 2014, amid rumors surrounding campaign finance allegations during the 2012 presidential election.[2] On August 5, 2015, Benton was indicted by a grand jury on charges arising from an alleged coverup to conceal the expenditure of campaign money to hire an Iowa politician.[3] Four of the five charges were initially thrown out because of misconduct by the prosecutor.[4] Benton was found not guilty at trial on charges of making false statements.[5]
Benton was subsequently re-indicted and was found guilty of conspiring to cause false records to the Federal Election Commission.[6] Benton was given two years probation.[7] He was pardoned by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020.[8]
Benton was indicted in September 2021 for illegally funneling money he received from a Russian national into the 2016 campaign of Donald Trump.[9] [10] Benton was convicted on November 17, 2022.[11]