A feud that allegedly resulted in Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) being assaulted at his home last weekend started due to a dispute over landscaping, The New York Times reported.
Paul and his longtime next-door neighbor had disagreements over yard care, according to the newspaper, which cited neighbors and three Kentucky Republicans familiar with the issue.
Paul was reportedly mowing his lawn and wearing ear plugs when he was attacked.
{mosads}“Rand never saw him coming or heard him coming,” a friend, Robert Porter, who visited Paul on Saturday, told the Times.
Paul’s neighbor, Rene Boucher, was charged with fourth-degree assault.
“They just couldn’t get along. I think it had very little to do with Democrat or Republican politics,” said Jim Skaggs, who developed the gated community, according to the newspaper.
“I think it was a neighbor-to-neighbor thing. They just both had strong opinions, and a little different ones about what property rights mean.”
On Monday, Boucher’s attorney said the incident had nothing to do with politics.
“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,” said Matthew Baker, who is representing Rene Boucher.
“We sincerely hope that Senator Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbors as quickly as possible.”
Doug Stafford, Paul’s chief of staff, said Monday it is a “pending, serious criminal matter involving state and federal authorities.”
Paul’s five broken ribs could cause him pain for months. It is not yet known when he will return to Washington.
Boucher and Paul have been neighbors for 17 years.