Coleman Camp Could Have To Pay $94,000 To Franken's Legal Team

[Fozzledick]

By Eric Kleefeld - May 22, 2009, 4:43PM

Norm Coleman's appeal of his defeat in the Minnesota election trial has not yet been argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court, but the two campaigns are busy litigating yet another point: How much Coleman's campaign will have to reimburse the Franken camp for legal costs under the loser-pays provision of the election law.

As of now, and as determined by the court clerk, Coleman will owe Franken about $94,000 for trial-related fees. Team Franken had asked for $161,000, which was then reduced by the clerk after the Coleman camp objected that some of these costs either didn't qualify or weren't sufficiently itemized.

This hardly begins to cover the millions that have been spent on legal fees, but it's one more thing for Coleman to worry about.

In documents that were filed by the opposing camps over the past two and a half weeks, but only just made available online, the legal teams argued over how much Coleman should have to pay -- and when he should have to pay it. Pending a hearing, which Coleman has ten days to request, that latter question is still up in the air.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/coleman-camp-could-have-to-pay-94000-to-frankens-legal-team.php

[napi21]

1. They're supposed to argue the case before the MNSC 6/1.

I;m hoping the court will decide quickly and in Frankin's favor, AND instruct the Gov. to certify the election! That will finally put this BS to bed! I hope Al can recoup as much of his expenses as possible, but getting him deated is most important.

[Merlot]

2. Good luck collecting the money!

Oh, I so want some good news on this. Between this, the CA prop 8 I am just on the edge of my seat.

Just heard today on the CA medical MJ law, that was good news!

[Optical.Catalyst]

3. Coleman has denied Minnesota half their representation in the Senate for four months

Norm aught to pay for the time Minnesota was under represented.

If he can't pay, he needs to be in jail.

[davidpdx]

4. Franken will never see a cent of the money

Ole' Coleman and the GOP will fight them tooth and nail over it. Even if he gets the measly $94,000, that only covers a small fraction of what was spent fighting Coleman in court.

[KharmaTrain]

5. GOOP Chump Change

Delaying President Obama's reforms is worth millions to the GOOP fat cats...as is making political hay. Normie doesn't have to worry about a paltry $100k...hell, his lawyer, Ben Ginsburg probably carries that amount around as parking change.

As others have noted, a good chance this fine will never be paid...locked up in appeals on its own front even after Coleman is finally sent to palookaville.

[votingupstart]

6. if Franken is the winner then Coleman should pay up

Franken won Coleman lost -now like the other poster said good luck trying to collect

[LynneSin]

7. If I were Franken I'd tell Coleman he'd wave all the legal fees Coleman would be stuck with...

if he would accept the final ruling from the Minnesota State Supreme Court and insist that Pawlenty sign the election certificate.

Franken can easily raise the money to cover his fees and it could be a gesture to help end this battle and show that Franken isn't a bitter man (well he never was - that was Coleman's cup of tea).

And honestly, it would be a good step for Coleman if he were to ever want to run for office again. If Coleman drags this out to the SCOTUS, he would become the most unpopular man in Minnesota (with Pawlenty running a close 2nd) and his political career would be shot to pieces.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. Or send the money to pay down HRC's campaign debt

THAT would cause Repub heads to explode!

:rofl:

[LynneSin]

9. Franken should do that only if he doesn't want to get re-elected in 5 years

No matter who wins this election (and it will likely be Franken), this whole election is going to be a dark cloud hanging over that person's head for the next 5+ years.

That's the other good thing with foregoing Coleman paying off Franken's legal fees. It's the first step in rebuilding Franken's reputation and making him a strong candidate for re-election in 2014. Sending it to HRC is only going to bite Franken in the ass.

The thing we keep forgetting is that both of these candidates (Franken & Coleman) only made up 84% of the votes in Minnesota - the 3rd party candidate pulled out a respected 16% and probably one of the bigggest spoilers in this election.

Franken needs to win over the voters of Minnesota and set himself up for a strong re-election. Pouring salt into Norm Coleman's open wounds may be a major "Ye-haw" for us diehard democrats but won't help him any with rebuilding his support in Minnesota. Franken needs to take the high road if he wants re-elected.