CEO...alleging that he was pressured...to funnel tens of thousands of dollars to Norm Coleman

[laststeamtrain]

Sam Stein:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/court-docs-gop-donor-secr_n_139366.html

The CEO of a major marine technology company is alleging that he was pressured by a friend and associate of Norm Coleman to secretly funnel tens of thousands of dollars to the Senator's family.

Paul McKim, the founder and CEO of Deep Marine Technology, alleges in a civil suit that Nasser Kazeminy -- a longtime Republican donor, friend of Coleman, and DMT shareholder -- directed the company to send $75,000 to the Senator and his wife.

The transaction, which occurred in 2007, allegedly went as follows: DMT would make payments for services to Kazeminy's Hays Company, even though no services would be rendered. Since Norm Coleman's wife Laurie worked at Hays, that money would be given to her in the form of 'salary.' ...

All told, the court filings allege that three payments of $25,000 were sent through Hays Company to the Colemans from May 2007 through September 2007. Two of those came without McKim's approval because Kazeminy went around him. A fourth payment was "in the process of being made" before being stopped by McKim, the suit alleges.

Sen. Coleman was initially asked about these findings on Wednesday, when two investigative reporters from the Minneapolis Star Tribune cornered him at a campaign rally. He ducked their questions. On Thursday, Coleman's campaign manager Cullen Sheehan was asked about the issue during a press conference, He claimed that "the lawsuit was withdrawn," and said he had no further details to offer. "I just know there was a lawsuit filed and it was withdrawn."

[Taverner]

1. Fuck! This might be a blowout

[bluesmail]

2. I don't know if it's because of arrogance or of simple laziness.

They have done this to themselves. IMPLOSION (Plus).

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. ...

:kick:

[ingac70]

4. kicking...

ol' Norm is no better than Sen Stevens.

[TheWraith]

5. Sheesh. Are there going to be any unconvicted Republicans by the next election?

Not that that's a problem. :)

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Recommended... Norm Coleman is a huge POS...

Go AL!!!!

[ourbluenation]

7. Sen. Franken...welcome to Washington. n/t

[Laelth]

8. The lawsuit was "withdrawn"? Wonder why?

:eyes:

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[dmr]

9. Diversion of unearned money to conceal its origin- is money laundering

It shouldn't matter if McKim withdrew his lawsuit. A crime was committed.

Coleman is on the take, and Minnesota needs to rid themselves of this crook. How could the voters go for a self-serving jackass like Coleman?

[Canuckistanian]

10. Good. the Franken /Coleman race is important

Any Coleman scandal is welcome news.

Plus, Coleman is a freak.