In the wake of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' conviction on ethics violations, Sen. Norm Coleman called Tuesday for his Republican colleague to resign.
After Stevens was charged in July, Coleman donated $20,000 in campaign contributions that had come from Stevens' political action committee. Coleman, who gave the money to childhood cancer research, joined other Republican senators who were returning contributions from the Alaska senator.
On Tuesday, DFL Party chair Brian Melendez called on Coleman to return $14,000 in campaign funds that he said the senator had received from Stevens and discredited oil executives in the 2002 election but not yet returned.
Coleman campaign officials said the money was spent years ago and won't be turned back. The first-term senator is being challenged for reelection by DFLer Al Franken and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley.
A jury found Stevens guilty Monday of failing to disclose $250,000 in free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Stevens, a senator since 1968, said he was not guilty and vowed to fight the verdict.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
