WASHINGTON — The lawyer for Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) next-door neighbor said the altercation that left the lawmaker with multiple injuries was not political in nature, while other neighbors indicated there may have been a dispute over landscaping or property boundaries.
Paul was mowing his lawn in Bowling Green, Ky., over the weekend when he was tackled by anesthesiologist Rene Albert Boucher in what Kentucky State troopers called an intentional assault. In addition to facing local assault charges, assaulting a member of Congress is a federal offense and Capitol Police are involved in the investigation.
The senator’s office said he suffered five rib fractures, including three displaced ribs that can cause further internal injuries, as well as bruised lungs from “high velocity severe force.” There was no indication on when he would be able to return to Washington as “the pain is considerable.”
Boucher’s attorney, Matthew Baker, said in a statement this afternoon that Boucher and Paul, an ophthalmologist, have lived next door to each other for 17 years.
“They are also prominent members of the local medical community and worked together when they were both practicing physicians,” Baker said. “The unfortunate occurrence of November 3rd 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.”
“We sincerely hope that Senator Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbors as quickly as possible.”
NBC reported that the two had not been neighborly for several years and Boucher may have had a political beef with Paul and his dad, fellow libertarian former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). They also, though, argued about a property line behind their homes along a creek.
And there were more reports into their clashes:
Rand Paul and neighbor have been sparring over yard waste and leaves blown on each other’s lawns for years, a neighbor tells @DrewGriffinCNN
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 6, 2017
Two Kentuckians tell me Rand’s neighborhood fracas stemmed from a dispute over some sort of planting or flora issue around the properties
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) November 6, 2017
A third Kentuckian sez the dispute revolves around a small strip of land by both props that leads to a man-made lakehttps://t.co/YdzGXsj2Cu
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) November 6, 2017
NYT correspondent Jonathan Martin added that a friend of Paul’s who has been in touch with him says the senator is “embarrassed” by the situation.
Paul tweeted on Sunday, “Kelley and I appreciate the overwhelming support after Friday’s unfortunate event. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”
Boucher was released from the local jail on $7,500 bond and was due to appear in court Thursday.
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