By Matthew Murray, Roll Call

Republican Patrick McHenry recently gave Michael Aaron Lay $10,000 to beat back voter fraud charges brought while the former campaign aide worked for the now-Member.

According to recent Federal Election Commission filings, McHenry gave Lay $5,000 out of his political action committee, More Conservatives PAC, in two payments during February and March.

The contributions were labeled “legal expense donation[s].” McHenry had given Lay another $10,000 in July 2007.

Roughly one year ago, Lay was indicted for allegedly “illegally cast[ing] his ballot in two 2004 Congressional primary runoffs in which McHenry was a candidate.” According to local news accounts, Lay was given probation in the case last summer.

McHenry eventually won that 2004 primary runoff by 86 votes.

“I’m glad the charges against Aaron were dismissed,” McHenry said in a statement.