Arrest warrant issued for scammer who gave $10,000 to Bachmann

"Bobby Thompson" gave $10,000 to Rep. Michele Bachmann

A man known as “Bobby Thompson,” who ran a Florida-based scam charity and funded conservative politicians including Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, is the subject of a nationwide search after investigations by the Ohio attorney general.

Thompson, who was using a stolen identity, raised about $20 million from people in at least seven states while purporting to help U.S. Navy veterans, and yesterday authorities released a warrant for his arrest.

Thompson gave $10,000 to Bachmann when she appeared at an event earlier this year with former VP candidate Sarah Palin, according to Talking Points Memo. Following news of investigations into Thompson’s group, the United States Navy Veterans Association, Bachmann announced she’d freeze the donation, but eventually gave a portion of it to a pair of charities.

The Dump Bachmann blog says the charity raised $1.56 million from Minnesotans between 2004-2009. An earlier Minnesota Independent report detailed all Thompson’s political contributions in the state:

12/9/2006   Coleman for U.S. Senate, Minnesota $1,250
3/28/2007   Coleman for U.S. Senate, Minnesota $1,050
8/15/2007   Minnesota-Coleman Victory Committee $14,600
12/31/2007 Coleman for U.S. Senate, Minnesota $2,300
1/4/2008    Republican Party of Minnesota $1,000
1/4/2008    Republican Party of Minnesota $1,000
1/15/2008   Coleman for U.S. Senate, Minnesota $2,300
8/25/2008   Minnesota House Repub. Campaign Com. $5,000
9/4/2008   David J. Carlson for Minnesota House $500
4/7/2010   Minnesota-Bachmann Victory Committee $10,000

Cuccinelli said he’s donating the contribution to charity. The Minnesota Independent has requested comment from Rep. Bachmann, and will update the post if her campaign responds. When we requested comment in mid-July, none of the campaigns receiving funds from Thompson’s “charity” responded.

Here are all the documents released by the Ohio attorney general.