Affidavit: Bachmann Approved Pay for Iowa Senator

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa campaign adviser to Republican former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has released an affidavit saying the Minnesota congresswoman approved a plan to indirectly pay an Iowa state senator to work on her 2012 campaign. The arrangement could violate Iowa Senate ethics rules.

The affidavit from Andy Parrish was posted online Monday. It includes copies of emails between Parrish and other staffers discussing a plan to have a company run by a Bachmann supporter pay Republican Sen. Kent Sorenson, of Milo.

The alleged payments could violate a Senate ethics ban on paid employment with political campaigns.

A Senate ethics panel is awaiting a printed copy of the affidavit.

Sorenson has denied any payments.  Last week Sorenson said he doubted Parrish would have evidence proving he was paid.