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Attorney for Boucher Says Paul Attack was Not Political

Rand Paul official photo, Rene Boucher mugshot via Warren County Regional Jail

Some new information is coming to light as to why a retired physician assaulted U.S. Senator Rand Paul at his Bowling Green home over the weekend. 

René Boucher admitted to police that he went onto Paul’s property and tackled him causing broken ribs and cuts to Paul’s face. A senior advisor said Paul is recovering from five broken ribs.

Boucher’s attorney says the attack wasn’t politically motivated. Bowling Green Attorney Matt Baker says his client Rene Boucher has been Senator Paul’s next door neighbor for 17 years.

In a statement, Baker said the incident “has absolutely nothing to do with either's politics or political agendas. It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial."

Baker didn’t elaborate on what prompted the feud. He said he hopes Paul is doing well and that the two men can get back to being neighbors soon.

Meanwhile, Boucher is free after posting a $7,500 bond. And as a condition of his release, the retired anesthesiologist was ordered to have no contact with Paul, his family, or his offices. Boucher must stay at least a thousand feet away from the senator unless at his home next door to Paul. He was also ordered not to possess firearms or weapons of any kind.

Boucher is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Thursday. The FBI has confirmed it’s investigating the attack to determine if any federal laws were violated.

This story has been updated.

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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