FBI: Minn. political vandalism not a federal crime

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http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/us/2008/10/24/D940SUMO0_politicians_vandalism/index.html


FBI: Minn. political vandalism not a federal crime

Oct 24th, 2008 | ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The graffiti vandalism this week to the homes of Minnesota's two senators and four of its House members was not a federal crime, an FBI official said.

Special Agent E.K. Wilson said the FBI will continue to monitor the incidents, but the investigation falls to local law enforcement.

Vandals late Tuesday and early Wednesday spray-painted graffiti on the homes and garages of Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Jim Ramstad, John Kline, Keith Ellison and Michele Bachmann.

At the Coleman residence, "U R A criminal resign or else" was spray-painted on the garage along with the words "Scum" and "Psalm 2." At Ellison's home, "scum" was scrawled on the garage and "traitor," "resign now" and "Psalm 2" on the house.

The Bible's Psalm 2 warns "kings of the earth" against incurring God's wrath.

Coleman, Ramstad, Kline and Bachmann are Republicans. Klobuchar and Ellison are Democrats. All six live in Minneapolis-St. Paul or the surrounding area.

Police departments in the cities where the vandalism occurred are conducting their own investigations and will share information. A St. Paul police spokesman said police haven't determined whether there was one culprit or a group of people working together.

The U.S. Capitol police also was helping in the investigation, spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said earlier this week.