Coleman: Allegations Should Be Investigated

13 Nov 2008 // MINNEAPOLIS -- Sen. Norm Coleman says he would welcome an investigation into allegations in a lawsuit that he got $75,000 from a friend and political donor.

Coleman says he is "being used as a tool of extortion by private parties" and that "should be of concern to all Minnesotans."

His statement came shortly after the Alliance for a Better Minnesota, a coalition of Democratic-leaning groups, held a news conference calling on the Senate Ethics Committee and the FBI to look into the allegations.

In a Texas civil lawsuit filed shortly before the election, the former CEO of Deep Marine Holdings said that businessman Nasser Kazeminy (kuh-ZIM'-ih-nee) used the company to funnel money to an insurance company that employs Coleman's wife. A second lawsuit making similar allegations was filed in Delaware.

Coleman and Kazeminy have both denied the allegations.