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Sen. Rand Paul Files Civil Lawsuit Against Neighbor

Warren County Regional Jail

U.S. Senator Rand Paul has filed a civil lawsuit against his neighbor who was sentenced this month for assaulting the Republican lawmaker.

A civil complaint filed in Warren Circuit Court says Paul is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages from Rene Boucher for "physical pain and mental suffering."

Boucher admitted to attacking Senator Paul outside his Bowling Green home on November 3.  Paul suffered several broken ribs and contracted pneumonia as a result of his injuries. 

Boucher entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of assaulting a member of Congress.  The retired anesthesiologist said the attack stemmed from ongoing instances of Paul stacking yard debris on the property line between his and Boucher's home. Boucher was sentenced in federal court on June 15 to 30 days behind bars followed by one year of supervised release.  He was also given 100 hours of community service and fined $10,000.  Prosecutors had requested a 21-month prison term.

The civil lawsuit, filed by Paul's attorney Kyle Bumgarner, requests a court order against Boucher that would ban him from having any contact with the senator or his family.

The complaint alleges that Paul has suffered an "increased likelihood of, and susceptibility to, injury and disease" as a result of the attack and that the U.S. Senator has been "deprived of his enjoyment of life."

Attorney Matt Baker, who defended Boucher in criminal court, is representing him in the civil lawsuit, as well. 

"Dr. Boucher issued a sincere and heartfelt apology at the sentencing," Baker said in a statement to WKU Public Radio. "Apparently that apology has not and will not be accepted. Instead, the senator has decided to file this lawsuit."

Paul's spokeswoman, Kelsey Cooper, declined to comment on the civil case, but issued this statement from the senator following Boucher's sentencing:

"No one deserves to be violently assaulted. A felony conviction is appropriate and hopefully will deter the attacker from further violence. The original 21-month sentence requested would have been the appropriate punishment. I commend the FBI and Department of Justice for treating this violent, pre-meditated assault with the seriousness it deserves."

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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