AP: Sohn suspected in Shays campaign fraud

by: Scarce

Wed Dec 10, 2008 at 15:55:13 PM EST

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The longtime campaign manager for Republican Rep. Chris Shays is the target of suspicions that money was misappropriated from his campaign fund, according to two Republicans familiar with the matter.

Shays, who narrowly lost last month to Democrat Jim Himes, said Friday his campaign became aware, after a post-election review, of a series of anomalies that appear to be the result of fraudulent activity by one of its former employees. The name of the employee and other details were not released, but the matter was referred to federal authorities.

Two Republicans familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the investigation is pending said the suspicions involve Michael Sohn, who was Shays' campaign manager for the past several elections. Sohn left last week for his honeymoon in Asia and did not return telephone messages left on his cell phone.

Another person familiar with the matter said Sohn was traveling abroad with the full understanding of federal authorities.

UPDATE:

A federal grand jury investigating the disappearance of up to $300,000 from U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays' re-election campaign has subpoenaed the veteran congressman's former campaign manager, Michael Sohn, of Fairfield, the Connecticut Post has learned.