In just a few words during a short teleconference with a federal judge, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday confirmed what has long been suspected: Authorities are pursuing a broader investigation into the shady campaign dealings that ousted former Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson from office.
In a hearing before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Pratt, attorneys for the government and for Sorenson agreed to delay sentencing in the case until April. The reason, Justice Department lead attorney Robert Higdon Jr. said, was that the government was “engaged” and “making progress” on a “larger investigation” into the 2012 presidential race.
Sorenson pleaded guilty last summer to concealing payments he received for work on two 2012 presidential campaigns and obstructing an investigation into the incident. He faces up to 25 years in prison, although his sentencing has been delayed for months.