FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says

[babsbunny]

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11180391?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

Source: Inquiry involves alleged attempt to steer money toward senator
By Dave Orrick
[e-mail]
Updated: 12/10/2008 09:54:27 AM CST

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.

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.

[napi21]

1. I heard this on MSNBC a few minutes ago, and they make it sound

like it's no big deal. Said the info came out in a lawsuit filed in TX that is an intramural fight between some of the co. execs, and this is the very beginning of an FBI inquiry and shouldn't even be called an investigation. I was also surprised to hear the reporter say "The FBI wouldn't put a lot of effort into this until they find out who wins the Senate seat and the recount still has a few weeks tto go. That sounded to me like the FBI wouldn't bother with looking into the issue if Coleman looses the election. That doesn't make sense.