« previous | MUCK HOME | next »
Report: FBI Probing Charges In Kazeminy/Coleman Suit
The FBI is looking into the allegations against Nasser Kazeminy, a close friend and supporter of Minnesota senator Norm Coleman, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The paper reports: "Agents with the FBI have talked to or made efforts to talk to people in Texas familiar with the allegations, according to a source familiar with the situation."
The lawsuit, filed by the former CEO of a company owned by Kazeminy, alleges, among other things, that Kazeminy tried to use the company, Deep Marine Technologies, to pass money to Coleman via an insurance company that employed the senator's wife.
Coleman's campaign, which is in the midst of a recount against Democrat Al Franken to decide the fate of Coleman's seat, released the following statement last night:
"We are not aware of any investigation that is under way, nor have we been contacted by any agency with respect to this matter. As we have said repeatedly, we welcome any investigation of these lawsuits by the appropriate authorities to get to the bottom of these baseless, sleazy and politically inspired allegations.
That denial -- which Coleman's Senate office had declined to offer to TPMmuckraker despite repeated calls -- would appear to rule out the possibility of Coleman having been contacted by Senate ethics investigators, though there may be wiggle room in the wording. A Minnesota good government group last month called on both the FBI and the Senate to launch probes.
The FBI, contacted by the Pioneer-Press, did not confirm or deny the existence of the investigation.
Josh
Zachary
Back in the day (before I retired) when I was writing edits, my bullshit detector was usually pretty accurate concerning crooked pols. Their attitude, the look in their eyes, the way they framed what they were saying were all markers for me. But one thing I didn't consider was hair. After watching Blago implode (fearlessly predicted in one of the last edits I wrote last March) and seeing pictures of Norm, I think I missed another surefire marker: Hair. What is it with these guys and their 'does? Norm's got the fez thing going while Blago seems to be either a Beatles or Donny Osmond wannabe. So I'm just sayin', watch the hair...
December 10, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, if Normie wins the recount and is forced out of the Senate, I wonder who T-Paw appoints. Mark Kennedy? Michele Bachmann? Mary Kiffemeyer?
The mind reels.
December 10, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nobody will be appointed. There would be a special election pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 204D.28. There would be a temporary appointment, but the law requires a special election.
December 10, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody would be appointed, but yes there would be a special election at some point in the future. Here's the relevant language of the statute.
The special election shall be held at the next November election if the vacancy occurs at least six weeks before the regular state primary preceding that election. If the vacancy occurs less than six weeks before the regular state primary preceding the next November election, the special election shall be held at the second November election after the vacancy occurs.
Depending on when such a blessed event might occur, such an election could happen more than a year after a temporary appointment.
December 10, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is all too ethereal, or is it ephemeral or just a bunch of gas. This just keeps popping up in the media with nothing new. I despise the man who sits in a seat once occupied by Wellstone and Humphrey and Mondale. He just sat there for 6 years and did nothing about crooks who took trillions out of the tax coffers for their own sake.He is despicable.
December 10, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can you say Senator Franken? I knew that you could!
December 10, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
What a day, what a day. Blago, Normo, missing ballots, intrigue, sex, scandal, international espionage, car chases....
TPM seems to have everything today.
December 10, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Stib is now reporting the story, as well:
LINK
December 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've posted this before but go no response so I'll try it again. Can someone correct me here if I'm faulty in logic or fact?
There can be no feasible way to determine the will of the people in this election...It is for all intents and purposes, a tie. Whomever is declared the winner will have suit filed against him by the other candidate....bet on it!
But it doesn't matter because the US Constitution vests ultimate authority in matters of whom to seat in the Senate with the Senate itself.
Since the Senate is controlled (and now controlled handily) by Democrats, doesn't this mean that Al Franken is the next Senator from MN and we can all go home?
Where am I wrong?
December 10, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you are absolutely correct. It is a standoff that is going to the Senate for resolution. The Dems own it unless their balls fall off when some nazi says boo.... actually that happens all the time ... oh oh.
I want a loudmouth liberal in the greatest deliberative body on Earth. I want Al to zing some wise ass/common sense in the face of southern redneck bullshit .... and make them literally laughingstocks.
I do not care one tiny bit what the final vote count is give or take whatever. The fascist war machine stole the Presidency in 2000 and I think they owe back AT LEAST one damn Senate seat. The right wing uses every form of vote suppression and theft they can get away with. Fairness is not an exact vote count in this case at this time in American history.
We liberals need to save this god-damned world NOW!
December 10, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink