Coleman says he welcomes investigation into his finances
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/08/art.albill1108.ap.jpg caption="Al Franken's campaign has continued to bring up the allegations to reporters."]
Minneapolis, Minnesota (CNN) - Just hours after a liberal-leaning Minnesota group called for an investigation into allegations that Sen. Norm Coleman accepted $75,000 worth of gifts, the incumbent Republican himself said he is eager for any probe to move forward "immediately."
Court documents allege that Texas businessman Nasser Kazeminy fraudulently ordered corporate funds be funneled to Coleman - a potential violation of Senate ethics rules.
Alliance for a Better Minnesota, a self-described progressive organization, sent letters to both the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the Minneapolis branch of the FBI calling for a full investigation.
Al Franken’s campaign and the state Democratic Farmer Labor Party also continue to bring up the allegations repeatedly to reporters.
Coleman said the accusations were influenced by partisanship. “As another Democratic group that spent millions of dollars attempting to defeat me calls for a politically motivated investigation, I want to be clear that I not only welcome such an investigation, but I am eager to have it move forward immediately." Coleman said in a Wednesday statement. "The fact that a United States Senator is being used as a tool of extortion by private parties should be of concern to all Minnesotans. I reiterate that none of the allegations which attempt to besmirch my family’s good name and reputation are true.
"This investigation should move forward, and it is my hope that those who were behind this matter, their motives and what their connections may be to my political opponents be reviewed aggressively by the appropriate authorities and the media. This matter, which has emerged again as a result of the tactics of my political opponents, during a recount, ought to raise even further suspicions in the minds of Minnesotans as to its motives and purposes.”
Franken and Coleman remain locked in an unresolved Senate race, separated by just a few hundred votes. A state law-mandated recount is set to begin November 19.
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Has the Alliance for a Better Minnesota asked for a probe of ACORN or is it a union funded, ACORN group itself?
Finally the truth could come out
The fact that a United States Senator is being used as a tool of extortion by private parties should be of concern to all Minnesotans."
What about when the extortion is by a corporation or business group, or a lobbiest?
Be careful what you ask for, Norm – you may get it.
we, the people, tend to elect those that we feel are most like us. well we, the people, are crooked, greedy, disrespectful and liars. yep, you wanted them cause they are like you and now you got em.
Will the U.S. Senator who has never taken money, never voted to help a donor, never flown on a donor's private jet, blah, blah, blah, please stand-up. Folks, why would anyone go into public office? – "For the Money!".
Yes, please let the investigation move foward as Cheryl states.
I expect that we'll find out the truth in fact it is these charges that are slanderous, unethical and despicable. What else would I expect from the accusors?
Can't believe it's not worthy? A pretty transparently slimy pol is poised to take one of the last 2 senate seats up for grabs, in the midst of allegations and investigations, and you don't think it's newsworthy?
I guess. It's only control of the senate at stake, right?
"The fact that a United States Senator is being used as a tool"
Well, this part at least is true, and has been for awhile now.
Is this the same Coleman who was a butler for Duke and Duke until he made his fortune in orange juice futures. Wasn't Al Franken aslo involved in that?
whatever the outcome in this senate race, everyone who voted
for frankenshould be ashamed. you have made minnesota
the laughing stock of the country
INVESTIGATIONS ARE WARRANTED.
Norm Coleman, I am sure you'll be all for an investigation until you actually win your recount and then you will use your power to squash any investigation. Sarah Palin was all for an investigation into Troopergate until there was an investigation into Troopergate. Then she did a tap dance on the investigation. Norm, I'm sure you're no better.
Another Republican under investigation. I can only hope that Franken wins and we can move on from the past of elected officials who are not there for the people but their own need for power/greed. Democrats need to learn from this as well or they too will be thrown out.
Get the investigation going. If this was brought up right BEFORE the last election it would look a lot more suspicious. There may be something to it.
California votes that MInnesota make the Senate funnier.
Isn't that the same thing Ted Stevens said?
"...ordered corporate funds be funneled to Coleman — a potential violation of Senate ethics rules."
I don't understand the problem. Didn't corporate American and companies outside the US contribute heavily to Obama's campaign?
By all means, investigate. I'm sure that the money has been well laundered by now, and his records spotless. At least, in that, he'll have done better than some of his GOP buddies.
Norm is sounding more and more like Gary Coleman,
Norm resign now and save spare us your incoherent ramblings.
You changed your party for Bush and now you are even more pathetic
I want to know if Obama welcomes investigation into his finances.
This is undoubtedly the funniest joke that Franken has ever come up with
This should be in the comics section ....... Oh it is, it's politics
Change You Can Believe In
Norm should be very careful about this moving forward immediately. If he is found in violation, the senate will remove him.
This is stupid just do the investigation and see what really happened. If we (democrats) are just accusing republicans of untrue events to win an election then that is just sad.