Did Bachmann and Pawlenty engage in "pay-for-pardon" with indicted money launderer Frank Vennes?

[Minnesota Raindog]

Frank Vennes Jr., a convicted money launderer who was recently indicted on new fraud and money laundering charges related to the $3.5-billion Tom Petters Ponzi scheme, is a close friend and major campaign donor to Minnesota presidential candidates Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann. Was Vennes engaged in a "pay-for-pardon" scheme as well? Lots more here:

http://www.rippleinstillwater.com/2011/04/frank-vennes-jr-friend-and-fat-cat.html

[geardaddy]

1. K and R

Indict Vennes and Pawlenty and Bachmann are history. This needs to be spread far and wide.

[Beth in MN]

2. Daily Beast - Pawlenty, Bachmann, and Right's Ponzi Scandal

Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann sought pardons for a major campaign donor now accused of fleecing faith-based charities in a Ponzi scheme. The 2012 presidential hopefuls should answer for helping make Frank Vennes Jr. respectable, writes Michelle Goldberg.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-28/pawlenty-bachmann-sought-pardon-for-minnesota-donor-accused-in-ponzi-scheme/

[Beth in MN]

3. Frank Vennes - God and Money Dinner

An audio of Frank Vennes doing what he does best at Northwestern College speaking at their God and Money dinner. He mentions his friend Pawlenty and the financial gifts bestowed onto him because of faith. Behind the scenes, he was a convicted arms and drug dealer and was working for Petters' as his ponzi feeder.

Pawlenty now claims he doesn't remember Vennes although his last hire as governor was the judicial appointment of Jamie Anderson who served five years as a lobbyist for Vennes. As did Scott Walker, Pawlenty bypassed the state's interview process. Anderson is at the extreme right and the wife of his then chief of staff. Bachmann fits right in with this God and Money political smokescreen.

http://www.dumpbachmann.com/2009/02/pardongate-frank-vennes-jr-speaks-we.html