Green Party Leader Convicted of Taking Bribes

[Jcrowley]

Green Party Leader Convicted of Taking Bribes
by Mark Knapp Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 at 11:13 PM

In the wake of viewing hours of highly-incriminating videotape surveillance from federal prosecutors, a jury today convicted Dean Zimmermann of accepting bribes. The former Green Councilman was indicted last January in the wake of an FBI corruption probe.

Dean Zimmermann – recent member of the Minneapolis City Council – was convicted this afternoon in federal court of accepting $7,200 in bribes from a Minneapolis developer. The jury took less than a day to find Zimmermann guilty on 3 out of the 4 counts in the indictment.

The trial lasted a week and a half and featured extensive undercover FBI audio and videotape of Zimmermann meeting with Gary Carlson, a local real estate developer – who sought Zimmermann's help in changing the zoning of his commercial property. Of particular note was a meeting between the two for a lunch of chicken wings and Barcardi cokes. Shortly after ordering food, Carlson slid an envelope across the table to Zimmermann – an envelope containing $5,000 in cash.

<snip>

Other highlights of the evidence against the Green Councilman included Carlson's surprise that Zimmermann would want to attend a Republican fundraiser. Zimmermann replied, "Republicans, Democrats, Greens ... What's the difference? It's all money."

http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/1732035.php

[Greeby]

1. Honestly. And they expect to be taken seriously?

:eyes:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Chicken wings and Bicardi?

:rofl:



actually, I'm hungry, and that sounds pretty good. :evilgrin:

[stillcool]

2. ah...well now he knows....

Zimmermann replied, "Republicans, Democrats, Greens ... What's the difference? It's all money."

...the difference is if you are not a republican you get caught.

[rug]

4. Is that what the Green represents?

[Ignacio Upton]

5. "Look at us, we're not part of the corrupt duopoly!"

No matter what political party you are in, eventually corruption will show up. THis is actually the first case where I've seen or heard of corrupt in the Green Party. If they were a major party, who's to say that corruption wouldn't be more pervasive in their party.

[Avidor]

6. I saw the Tapes at the Zimmermann Trial....

... and he asked for money from a Hummer-driving Republican and he took the money... thousands of dollars in cash....

Read detailed notes from all 8 days of the Zimmermann corruption trial at the Minneapolis Confidential Blog:

http://www.minneapolisconfidential.blogspot.com/

Excerpts:

Zimmermann then explains, “what my campaign needs is 4-5 young people…slip them $100 a week, they don’t need much, can’t run it through the campaign.” Carlson says “I’ve got 8 million riding on this project, so whatever you need.”

" Carlson explains that the city needs Council people who understand growth in the city; he then refers to the upcoming elections, saying “Lilligren thinks he has it sewed up.” Zimmermann replies, “that’s what we want him to think.” Zimmermann says Lilligren’s problem is he thinks all you need is people active in the neighborhood and the DFL. Carlson says campaigns take money, adding that “all you ever hear from is the activists.”

"He says, “Dean, I need you to push and do certain favors for me, but you need to get elected first.” He says something about having cousins, but there being a $300 per person campaign contribution limit and adds, “how do I do it?” Zimmermann advises him to go to his friends and cousins, give them $300 each to donate, but give each of them a check for $350.

"Carlson mentions the benefit he hosted for Coleman, mentions his own home in Florida, and discusses deep-sea fishing (inviting Zimmermann, who says he’s never been). Carlson pays for lunch. Zimmermann puts a little cash on the table then withdraws some, saying something like, “in all honesty, I can say I left money on the table. See, we split the bill.”"

"Once they’re outside the restaurant, Carlson offers Zimmermann a ride. Zimmermann declines, and Carlson says something like, “I guess you can’t be seen riding in Hummer.”

"Carlson says “the problem is the Sabris, they’re poison.” Zimmermann adds, “it’s like grabbing a tar baby if you touch them.”

"Carlson then says he thinks there are three people running in Zimmermann’s ward. Zimmermann replies by saying the “other guy” is a “straw man we put up so there’ll be a primary.” He says the campaign wanted to have a primary to see “where we stood.” "

Zimmermann then turns to Carlson and says “if you could get Dave Bicking a couple of checks, it would be helpful. I don’t know if he’s prepared to take an envelope full of cash. You know, if you and your wife each gave him $300 each…."

Read more notes from all 8 days of the Zimmermann corruption trial at the Minneapolis Confidential Blog:

http://www.minneapolisconfidential.blogspot.com/

Zimmermnn's Green Party friends still defend the convicted felon:

http://pulsetc.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=614c36919111d7379bc5097ac7dfb6f0

[newyawker99]

11. Hi Avidor!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[GetTheRightVote]

7. We all know there are bad apples in all the parties but the good exist too

:kick:

[Endangered Specie]

8. Why am I not suprised...

When you help to install the worst president in history, a little financial shenanagins isn't much of a stretch.

[ToeBot]

9. Yes! This obviously shows the true nature of the Green Party!

Let's hope that William J. Jefferson walks, otherwise...

[magellan]

10. All politicians are the same. (nt)

[omega minimo]

12. Take this back to the hive and tell em the tactic is starting to stink

:puke:

Purty soon even the NaderHaters won't fall for it anymore :hi: