A second lawsuit was filed Friday by minority shareholders who allege that a close family friend of Sen. Norm Coleman used a marine company in Texas to pay $75,000 to the senator via a Minneapolis insurance company where Coleman’s wife, Laurie, is an independent contractor. The suit attributes the allegations to a “confidential source.”
Hum. Another lawsuit? Another source?
The lawsuit is very similar to one filed earlier in the week in Houston by McKim. Both actions allege that Kazeminy told executives at Deep Marine that he wanted to provide financial assistance to the Colemans through an insurance consulting arrangement between Deep Marine and Hays Companies. But the second suit cites a “confidential source.” Kazeminy is a longtime friend and campaign contributor to Coleman.
…
…in a new wrinkle, Deep Marine’s former CEO, McKim, is named as a co-defendant with Kazeminy and several other individuals who were in positions of authority at the company.
That’s different… McKim is now the defendant?
McKim’s lawsuit was based on a sworn statement from him that Kazeminy coerced him and others to make three $25,000 payments to Hays. The second suit, brought by FLI Deep Marine LLC and Bressner Partners LTD, attributes its allegations to a “confidential source.” The source allegedly was told by Kazeminy in 2007 that “we have to get some money to Senator Coleman” because the senator “needs the money.”
So a different lawsuit, where McKim is now a defendant, is alleging basically the exact same thing.
…he recalls how Kazeminy approached him and Deep Marine’s chief financial officer in 2007 with a directive to channel $100,000 to the senator via Hays.
“He said that the senator’s wife worked there and she could get the money to him,” McKim said. “I was kind of stunned. I was really shocked he would come out and say that so nonchalantly.”
At the time, the sea diving and underwater construction company that McKim founded in 2001 had no need for new insurance services, McKim said. The company was paying $1 million a year for coverage arranged through underwriters in London who specialized in underwater, offshore lines, he said.
McKim said he feared that Kazeminy would fire him if he didn’t go along…
So it looks like they’re ready to tell all…
He acknowledged that approving the first check puts him in a “spot.” McKim said he is willing to talk to any federal agency, including the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office, about money he alleges was paid by Deep Marine to Hays for work that was never performed.
Hum. At this point, I’d be surprised if the feds don’t knock on McKim’s door.
wow. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Snarf!
I am so afraid this is all coming too late! The weekend is the worst time for news to break, or the best time for Coleman. No one is even going to know about this stuff until next Thursday!
So is this about the original $75,000 or is it a new $100,000? And what exactly does Coleman’s wife do for the Hays Company when she lives in California? How much is she paid from the Hays Company for a “no show” job?
Ya know what’s sleazy? As a 25yr subscriber to the Star Tribune, I called and cancelled my subscription after searching yesterday and today’s newspaper. The reason? Not ONE mention of the lawsuits against Coleman yesterday/Friday, not a single word today/Saturday in section A, the only story, “Coleman calls on foes to “stop attacking my family” which was run below the fold with a picture of Al Franken appearing in the “Twin Cities” section B. They ran the story below the fold with a picture to imply Franken is somehow attacking Norm’s family. That’s sleaze.
Coleman represents the STATE of MN, and get’s below the fold sympathy story in the local metro section, the front page reserved for a nice fluffy story on Michele Bachmann gaining back some support.. she’s not even in my district!
Is there an actual unbiased news source left in Minnesota? Guess I’ll stick with online sources going forward. It’s a crying shame. Shame on you Trib, I feel pity for any actual true news reporters who are left.
What happened to journalistic integrity?
Meanwhile, I think all good Minnesotan’s, Coleman and Franken supporters alike, need to help Norm out. CLearly the salary of a US Senator is not enough for him to support his lifestyle. We need to help him OUT.. but helping him get back into Private sector where he can legally accept all the donations and gifts from his special friends withoout consequence.
Of course..I wonder if those favors, cheap rent, free trips and cash payments will keep coming through when he is no longer in the position of Senator … nooo, Im sure those gifts and payments had nothing to do with influence peddling….
Help Norm out, vote Al Franken.
p.s. this finally pushed me to post for the very first time, have been a reader here for years, thank you for this site.
Oops, one more tidbit, the two stories on the online version of the Trib, regarding these lawsuits against Coleman, have had comments “moderated” is in nothing posted for over 18-24 hours… yet the story on Norm’s lawsuit against Franklen is wide open for comments.
“Due to the sensitive nature of this story, comments will be reviewed before being published.” if the article may illicit negative comments on their endorsed candidates… no such restriction on comments on articles against the opposition….