We're still waiting for the final verdict in the Minnesota Senate race between incumbent Norm Coleman and Al Franken. The five-member canvassing board meets on December 16th to review challenged ballots. But, that's not all the news affecting Coleman. The FBI has taken an interest in some business dealings of Coleman's benefactor :
Federal investigators are looking into allegations that a longtime friend and benefactor tried to steer money to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, the Pioneer Press has learned.Not yet, anyway. Remember, these allegations were raised in lawsuits against Kazeminy that were completely unrelated to anything political. The guy's business associates raised these issues.
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.
Houston is where the first of two lawsuits was filed alleging Nasser Kazeminy, a Bloomington financier, tried to steer $100,000 to Coleman via his wife's Minneapolis employer. The second suit, filed in Delaware, alleges Kazeminy initially tried to get money directly to the senator.
Both Coleman and Kazeminy have denied any wrongdoing, and Coleman last month said he welcomes an investigation.
Neither Coleman nor his office has been contacted by the FBI, spokesman LeRoy Coleman said Tuesday morning.
"We have not been contacted by any law enforcement or investigative authority on this matter," he said.
