Texas Businessman Files Lawsuit Claiming He Was Forced To Funnel $75,000 To Norm Coleman’s Wife

[CatWoman]

A lawsuit alleges that one of Sen. Norm Coleman’s (R-MN) best friends and supporters, Nasser Kazeminy, used a Texas-based oil-rig services company to funnel $75,000 to Coleman through his wife Laurie’s insurance firm. Paul McKim, who filed the lawsuit and who until last Friday was CEO of Deep Marine Technologies (DMT), says Kazeminy — who owns about 50 percent of the company — threatened to fire him if he did not agree to the deal. The lawsuit alleges Kazeminy explicitly sought to benefit Sen. Coleman:

In March 2007, Kazeminy began ordering the payments of corporate funds to companies and individuals who tendered no goods or services to DMT for the stated purpose of trying to financially assist United States Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. In March 2007, Kazeminy telephoned B.J. Thomas, then DMT’s Chief Financial Officer. In that conversation, Kazeminy told Mr. Thomas that “U.S. Senators don’t make ” and that he was going to find a way to get money to United States Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota and wanted to utilize DMT in the process.

Deep Marine Technology provides “comprehensive subsea services to the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry” and is a “a significant player in the Gulf of Mexico,” according to its website. Coleman is a strong proponent of offshore drilling.

The lawsuit alleges that the money was sent through Laurie Coleman’s insurance firm, Hays Companies, to make it “appear as though the payments were made in connection with legitimate transactions.” A video shows Coleman ducking questions about the suit from Minnesota Star Tribune reporters on Wednesday.

Coleman called the suit’s claims “false and defamatory,” but today, McKim produced records documenting the payments to Laurie Coleman’s firm, Hays:



http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/31/coleman-wife-lawsuits/

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

1. Oh my stars and garters

This should get interesting quickly!

:popcorn:

[CatWoman]

2. ah sookie, sookie now

:)

:rofl:

[vaberella]

8. You people keep stealing my phrases. I wonder what the Beast would say.

Anyway I agree. "Oh my stars and garters..." :wow:

Craziness!!

:popcorn:

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

9. Yep, I was quoting The Beast

a/k/a Hank McCoy. Old comics geek here.

[vaberella]

10. Ditto. I'm 28, but my mum who's over 60 LOVES Marvel.

I was raised on it...so don't feel bad about being an old comic geek. What's crazy she used to read Marvel in French since we're from Haiti. Hahahahah :rofl: To this day she talks about the greatness of Xavier. She had a crush on him when she was growing up. I love Scott and Gambit.

[Wickerman]

3. Norm was on Minnesota Public Radio this AM

telling us how upset this was making his beloved Lauire. You know, the wife that lives in Hollywood, not in Minnesota, AND invented a hair curler.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

4. The only time you ever see Laurie up here

is during campaign season. The sham of that marriage is one of the worst kept secrets in Minnesota.

[No Elephants]

5. I just hope this news makes it around the state FAST.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

6. Some interesting links re Coleman corruption

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/371072/suitgate_sinking_coleman

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/31/94829/582

This is gonna have some legs. :popcorn:

[camera obscura]

7. I hope so

I think this story will only make it if the Internet pushes for it, because the papers around here have been diffident. No surprise since they all endorsed Coleman already.

[Cha]

11. I thought they were "friends"..

Interesting what decided Nasser Kazeminy to complain.

[dmr]

12. They diverted unearned money to conceal its origin & that is money laundering & a CRIME!

Just ask Tom DeLay.

Norm you are a crook!

I bet they are scrambling to create the paperwork to show that Kazeminy really did pay Laurie Coleman for services rendered. Pretty high-priced services, indeed.

[kickysnana]

13. Franken put it in a commercial. I heard it during the 6pm news. n/t

[farmboxer]

14. Repubs are crooks

The truth to a Republican is like a cross to a vampire.