Case that shook Minn. Senate race back in court

Associated Press

Last update: October 12, 2009 - 5:44 AM

A high-buck battle over legal fees has reinvigorated a case that roiled Minnesota's 2008 Senate race.

Minnesota businessman Nasser Kazeminy is going after a man who alleged a scheme to sneak money from a Texas company to then-Sen. Norm Coleman. On Monday, a Houston judge hears Kazeminy's request to make the former plaintiff pay at least $407,000 in legal fees plus more in damages.

Paul McKim, a former executive of a deep-sea exploration company, sued Kazeminy last October. McKim accused the company shareholder of improper payments to Coleman. The underlying lawsuit was dismissed in August.

Kazeminy claims McKim defamed him and used the lawsuit "as a sword to impale an undeserving victim."

Coleman narrowly lost his race. The Republican denied any role in an enrichment plot.