Jesse Benton resigned as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign manager amid questions of involvement in the Iowa bribery scandal. The decision came on Friday, two days after Kent Sorenson pleaded guilty of bribery with Ron Paul's (R-Tx) 2012 presidential campaign.

According to reports, Benton fears that rumors involving him in the bribery scandal could hurt McConnell's re-election campaign.

Like Us on Facebook

Benton was Ron Paul's political director in his 2012 presidential campaign. Sorenson's confession of receiving US$73,000 from Paul's campaign to abandon Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn.) connected Benton to the scandal.

As a result, Benton submitted his resignation letter, which McConnell accepted with reluctance.

With his resignation letter was a statement of his innocence. He said that the reason for his decision cited "inaccurate press accounts and unsubstantiated media rumors."

In addition, he upheld his positive image of McConnell and his good working relationship with him, saying that the rumors could discredit him unfairly.

Benton said he considers working with McConnell as one of the great honors of his life. He said McConnell was both a friend and a mentor, and that Benton could not afford present circumstances negatively affect McConnell's campaign.

"This election is far too important and the stakes way too high," Benton said in a statement.

While Benton also regrets his decision, he said that it was "for Mitch, for Kentucky and for the country."

His resignation takes effect on Saturday, reports said.

The McConnell campaign said in a statement early Friday that Sen. McConnell "obviously" has nothing to do with Ron Paul's conclave so it would be irrelevant for them to comment on the scandal.

They hired Benton in 2012 to lead his 2014 reelection campaign. They believed that Benton could boost his credibility among the libertarian factions of the Republican party.

However, while Benton and the campaign seemed satisfied with each other, Benton had also caused troubles for them.

TagsJesse Benton, Mitch McConnell, Kent Sorenson, Ron Paul, bribery scandal