Sen. Coleman Hires Lawyer in FBI Investigation

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and his wife have retained a criminal defense attorney in the FBI investigation into whether a donor sought to funnel tens of thousands of dollars to the couple.

The Colemans have retained former assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Kelley to represent them in an investigation resulting from two lawsuits filed shortly before Election Day, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Tuesday. The suits allege Coleman donor Nasser Kazeminy, who has also hired a lawyer, sought to funnel $75,000 to Coleman through his wife’s employer in violations of ethics laws.

The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the allegations, though the case is described at being in its “preliminary” stages.

According to the Star-Tribune, attorneys for Coleman and other targets of the investigation have hired private detectives to assist them in the case.