Prominent GOP Donor Charged With Sexual Assault of a Child

Samuel Curtis Johnson III, a donor to the Republican party both nationally and in his home state of Wisconsin, has been charged with repeated child sexual assault.

Johnson, the billionaire heir to the SC Johnson & Son corporation, is accused of molesting a now-15-year-old girl in over 10-15 incidents over a number of years. He is facing up to 40 years in prison, and has been released on a $500,000 bond.

Johnson has donated most frequently to the Wisconsin GOP -- Rep. Paul Ryan in particular, who he's given a total of $8000 over a number of years. But he's also been a contributor to the National Republican Congressional Committee -- in June 2009, he forked over $15,000, and donated $1000 the year before that, reports Roll Call.

He'd been the chairman of Diversey, Inc, a Johnson spin-off company that manufactures cleaning supplies like Fantastik, Pledge and Windex. But in February he took a leave of absence, citing personal reasons. CBS:

Family spokesman Harlan Loeb said Johnson is married with three children.

"Obviously this is a personal matter for Curt," Loeb said. "Allegations of this nature are always deeply disturbing. The family is distraught and very much hopes for the best for everyone involved."