Fox News: Federal Charges May Come in Assault on Sen. Paul
Rand Paul
Sen. Rand Paul  R-Ky.  recovering from broken ribs and lung bruising he sustained in an alleged assault by a neighbor  is being told to expect federal charges in the case â indicating a possible alleged political motive  Fox News reported Thursday.
Judge Andrew Napolitano told Fox News' Shepard Smith that unnamed sources inside the Kentucky Republican's Senate office say  Paul  has been told of expected federal charges against neighbor Rene Boucher.
"If they're considering federal charges  that obviously goes way beyond a simple assault charge â  he 's currently charged with a low level assault " Napolitano told Smith.
"If it remains at the state level with broken ribs and water in the lungs  may very well be elevated to a felony and go to the county attorney "  he  added. "If they're looking at federal charges  it sounds like this was politically motivated."
 Paul 's injuries were initially reported as five broken ribs  but Wednesday  the senator tweeted he had six broken ribs and a pleural effusion â where fluid collects inside the membranes of the lung and chest wall outside the lung.
Boucher pleaded not guilty Thursday to fourth-degree assault for the attack on  Paul  on the lawn of  his  Bowling Green home last Friday  a charge that carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail if convicted.
Sen.  [TGT]   R-Ky.  recovering from broken ribs and lung bruising he sustained in an alleged assault by a neighbor  is being told to expect federal charges in the case â indicating a possible alleged political motive  Fox News reported Thursday.
Judge Andrew Napolitano told Fox News' Shepard Smith that unnamed sources inside the Kentucky Republican's Senate office say  Paul  has been told of expected federal charges against neighbor Rene Boucher.
"If they're considering federal charges  that obviously goes way beyond a simple assault charge â  he 's currently charged with a low level assault " Napolitano told Smith.
"If it remains at the state level with broken ribs and water in the lungs  may very well be elevated to a felony and go to the county attorney "  he  added. "If they're looking at federal charges  it sounds like this was politically motivated."
 Paul 's injuries were initially reported as five broken ribs  but Wednesday  the senator tweeted he had six broken ribs and a pleural effusion â where fluid collects inside the membranes of the lung and chest wall outside the lung.
Boucher pleaded not guilty Thursday to fourth-degree assault for the attack on  Paul  on the lawn of  his  Bowling Green home last Friday  a charge that carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail if convicted.