FEC: (Norm) Coleman can tap funds for his legal bills

[sabra]

Source: Star Tribune

He can use the money to pay for expenses related to two campaign lawsuits.

The Federal Election Commission voted Thursday to allow Norm Coleman to use campaign funds to pay for legal bills associated with two lawsuits alleging that a supporter tried to maneuver money to the former senator's family.

The suits, filed in Texas and Delaware, allege that financier Nasser Kazeminy steered at least $75,000 through a Twin Cities insurance company employing Coleman's wife.

Coleman is not a party to the lawsuits, which involve a Texas company, and he has denied any wrongdoing.

..

Ben Ginsberg, an attorney for Coleman, said in an interview shortly after the ruling that Coleman sought to use campaign funds because the lawsuits are directly linked to his role in Washington.

"The legal test is, would he have had these bills if he were not in office?" Ginsberg said. "And the answer ... is that this was all wrapped up in his being in office and being a candidate."

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/49104716.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs

[tomm2thumbs]

1. I'm sure the Republican Party is looking like a great place to donate just about now

Not

[old mark]

2. I have no problem with them spendung as much cash as possible on Coleman

considering the small amount they raised at their fundraising dinner. They may be broke by the end of the year at this rate.

Broke, unpopular and stupid - the Grand Old Party!!!11!!


mark

[No Elephants]

3. Yeah, elected officials have a much greater risk of accepting a bribe than private citizens. The

test should be whether the legal matter involves things within the scope of an honest candidacy or honest conduct of office. If someone's accepting bribes, they're doing that on their own time.

[Winterblues]

4. As much as Republicans say they hate lawyers, they sure spend a lot of money on them.

:shrug: