DFL steps up to line but doesn't cross it

Posted at 3:50 PM on June 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez held a news conference today to question GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's relationship with GOP operative Jeff Larson. The National Journal reported last week that Coleman both missed and was late paying his monthly rent payments (which was $600). DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez questioned the apartment deal saying it was below market value.

Melendez also said he may file an ethics complaint since Coleman may have been receiving some sort of gift from Larson when it came to the apartment:

"For the last year, Coleman has received a significant personal financial benefit from Larson that exceeds $100, that exceeds $250, which is the absolute limit of the Senate's gift ban even if the gift is based on personal friendship and not on business which is highly questionable in itself."

Melendez wouldn't say when he would make a decision on whether to file an ethics complaint. Perhaps he's waiting for someone else to do it like this Washington Post reporter suggests will happen.

On Friday, Coleman defended his decision to rent the apartment:

"I rent some cramped space from a friend who is a long term friend who is not a lobbyist, who doesn't, I believe, have government contracts and doesn't talk to me about any of my Senate business. I have never been lobbied by him, I've never been asked to do a favor to get a piece of business. We have a long term friendship. He's part of my political team and he has been."

Comments (1)

Perhaps the missed rent payments were just an oversight. However, 2 missed rent payments that went unpaid for a number of months until a news organization inquires about it seems to have uncovered a personal failure.

It is certainly less complicated to pay rent on time (or even a little late) than it is to file personal income tax returns in several states. I have to wonder if every candidate correctly filed in all states for any payments he or she received for speaches, etc.

Lastly, the campaign finance laws are complex and it could be easy to make an honest error but the error has to be an honest one and not just weasel-worded over. Perhaps there needs to be greater oversight of campaign finances for tracking who provided the contribution and if the candidate's family members have in any way benefited financially from being involved in the campaigns such as receiving payments for appearing in campaign commercials.

Posted by TickDad | June 30, 2008 8:36 PM

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