DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former aide to Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, claiming the one-time presidential challenger made improper payments to an Iowa state senator.

Peter Waldron says in a letter received Friday by the FEC that Bachmann paid Sen. Kent Sorenson thousands of dollars a month, including through a PAC associated with the congresswoman. Sorenson, a Republican from Milo, once served as the Iowa state chairman for Bachmann’s presidential campaign.

Waldron’s letter also claims the campaign violated FEC rules involving other illegal payments and extortion.

A Bachmann spokesman and Sorenson deny the allegations.

Waldron was Bachmann’s national field coordinator from July 2011 to January 2012.

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