coleman081408
On the homepage
Afghanistan
Out There
Music
Television
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | U.S. Senate
Continued: Coleman defends D.C. lease
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on Digg
Sen. Norm Coleman didn't have a lease for the first year he rented a garden-level bedroom in an upper-bracket Capitol Hill row house owned by a longtime friend and Republican operative.
In addition, Coleman didn't make a payment for utilities for the living space until last month, under a verbal agreement he had with his landlord -- St. Paul businessman Jeff Larson -- to settle up after a year in residence, Coleman campaign manager Cullen Sheehan said.
Coleman's Washington living arrangements, first reported in a National Journal article in June, have been a target of criticism by DFL officials and DFL election opponent Al Franken.
Responding to media requests, the Coleman campaign Wednesday released copies of the lease that Coleman and Larson signed July 3, and the $532.88 check that Coleman's wife, Laurie, made out July 14 to Larson for 12 months' worth of unspecified utilities.
Rent questioned, defended
Coleman has been paying Larson $600 per month for a small bedroom and bathroom since moving into the house in July 2007. The DFL Party has charged that he is getting a below-market rate from Larson, whose telemarketing firm has done more than $1.5 million of business with the senator's campaigns since 2001.
In the journal article, Coleman acknowledged that the rental agreement was somewhat loose. In the last year he had missed two rent payments and paid for another month with old furniture he gave Larson.
But Coleman insists that $600 is a fair price on Capitol Hill for the use of a 100-square-foot bedroom with bathroom. His space doesn't include a kitchen.
Shortly after news of the apartment hit the papers, a watchdog group asked the Senate ethics committee to check whether the arrangement is barred by the Senate gift ban. Gifts to senators of $250 or more from friends, including lodging discounts, are banned unless first approved by the panel.
"The more we learn about this sweetheart rent deal, the more concerns it raises," said Franken spokesman Andy Barr. "Now that Coleman is finally answering questions about what he got, it's time for him to start answering questions about what Larson got in return."
Sheehan said Coleman has been consistently candid about the apartment, and another Coleman campaign spokesman, Luke Friedrich, drew a contrast with Franken, saying the Democrat should make his accountant available to talk about his prior tax problems.
Sheehan noted that Coleman allowed National Journal and Star Tribune reporters to see his living quarters. "The senator has been incredibly transparent, honest and open about this entire situation," he said.
Kevin Duchschere • 612-673-4455
Previous pageRecent U.S. Senate stories
Ventura tells Coleman: Quit, you hypocrite - August 13, 2008
Ventura tells Coleman: Quit, you hypocrite - Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura told the nation that Norm Coleman is a hypocrite who has lost the election for U.S. senator and should give up his fight against Al Franken for a second term. More
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
  Get A ProfessionalFind home maintenance, car repair, legal advice, cleaning, and more in the Yellow Pages. Go now! Save Your $$ With CouponsDiscounts on services, entertainment, dining, gifts, and more. Start saving! |
Win tickets to Vita.mn's second annual Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco at St. Louis Park's Roller Gardens.Vita.mn and Ragstock present the second annual Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco at St. Louis Park's Roller Gardens on Dec. 11. |
Comment on this story | Read all 49 comments | Hide reader comments