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Coleman Won't Say Whether He's Spoken With FBI About Kazeminy
Here's another fun new dimension to Norm Coleman's legal adventures -- and it's not directly related to the election contest.
During an interview with MinnPost.com yesterday, Norm was asked whether he'd spoken with the FBI about the Nasser Kazeminy case, which involves allegations that a donor paid a large amount of money to a consulting firm where Coleman's wife worked, with the aim of funneling the money to Norm himself.
And here's what happened:
"I can't say anything," he said. "We want this matter to be fully reviewed and fully investigated because nothing happened and we are looking forward to that taking place." And on that note, we arrived at Coleman's car and he ended the conversation by turning and putting his hands on my shoulders.
"Too many questions," he said, laughing.
The Democrats are pouncing at this exchange. DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz released this statement:
"If Norm Coleman is going to continue his farfetched legal appeal, the least he can do is answer if the FBI is investigating him," said DSCC Communications Director Eric Schultz. "It is a yes or no question that Minnesotans deserve an answer to. There are now two executives who have gone under oath - under penalty of perjury - affirming the criminal conspiracy to funnel $100,000 to a sitting U.S. Senator from one of his top donors. Norm dodged the question before the election - but he ought to fess up now."
And Minnesota DFL Party chairman Brian Melendez released a statement:
"Former Senator Coleman can't hide -- at least not for long -- an investigation by the FBI into his conduct. Minnesotans deserve a straight "yes" or "no" answer to the question: Is the FBI investigating you?
"These serious allegations demand transparency and full disclosure. A shrug and a smile simply won't cut it. As Coleman seeks to continue to appeal in the courts the election of Al Franken as senator, the least that he can do is tell the truth.
"As the process unfolds, the evidence keeps stacking up against him. At least two high-level executives have now testified, under oath, that there was indeed a conspiracy to funnel $100,000 to a sitting U.S. Senator by one of his top donors. What we don't know is whether Coleman is cooperating with the investigation or not. I call on him to tell us now."
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So the answer is "yes". If he hadn't talked to the FBI, he wouldn't have any problem saying no.
April 3, 2009 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
You would think that would be obvious to reporters. Why plead the fifth on such an innocent question. He's either talked with the FBI or he hasn't but it seems he doesn't even want the public to know that. He may just want the whole situation to just go away but it's still there now.
It's the only thing that might make Coleman less insistent on drawing this whole lost election ordeal out if it keeps attracting more attention to 'his' donors' illegal activities.
April 3, 2009 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to GOOPer tradition, doesn't taking the Fifth Amendment automatically brand one as a Communist? Or maybe nowadays it's been watered down to European Socialist?
April 3, 2009 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can Coleman use the next round of legal-fund donations ($40k per supporter) to pay for his legal defense on this issue?
Might explain why he's still fighting the election battle--he needs the contributions to pay for his future defense on the Deep Marine Technology issue.
April 3, 2009 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
This guy is one of the most pathetic loser I have ever seen in politics.
April 3, 2009 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will Norm ask for a do-over election a la Ted Stevens, on the grounds that this taint tainted the election? heh
April 3, 2009 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've always thought that one part of the reason that Norm Coleman is so doggedly fighting the election result is that the FBI is probably waiting until the court fight is over to arrest him. The FBI/Justice would not want to haul off and arrest him now because it might seem political given the ongoing election contest. My guess is that as soon as you see a headline like "Minn. Supreme Court Gives Victory to Franken," then the following morning you'll see a headline like "Feds Charge Norm Coleman with Conspiracy."
April 3, 2009 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Possible.
April 4, 2009 2:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, Coleman has talked to the FBI. He is just lying through his teeth, to the people of Minnesota. If he looks like a crook, walks like a crook... but how long do we have to put up with this charade? And believe it or not, if Pawlenty wants to fly up to a presidential run, Coleman thinks he would make a good governor. He is definitely living in an alternative universe. Time to charge him and put us out of misery.
April 4, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink