Norm Coleman Pulled A "Ted Stevens"

Ex-Senator Ted Stevens is out of a job and a convicted felon, all thanks to being caught taking bribes such as having his home renovated. Now it looks like Ted isn't the only politician that thinks having someone re-do your kitchen for special access and legislation is legit. Although the recount isn't going so well for Norm in his bid to beat challenger Al Franken, the election is the least of his problems.

From MyFox TwinCities:

The FBI is now reportedly investigating the allegations that Nasser Kazeminy tried to funnel $75,000 in campaign contributions through the Senator's wife. By why would a U.S. Senator, who makes about $180,000 a year, need the money?

Hmm, perhaps it was greed?

Two lawsuits allege that in spring of 2007, Edina businessman Nasser Kazeminy began a series of $25,000 payments to Coleman from Deep Marine Technology, a company he controlled in Texas, to Hays Companies, the Minnesota Insurance company where Laurie Coleman works.

So what does this have to do with home remodeling?

While Coleman didn't agree to sit down for a interview, his campaign did agree to share billing records of the remodeling project. Original projections in 2006 estimated a cost of $328,000, but four months later, the construction cost was estimated at $414,000, over-budget by $86,000.

During that time is when, the lawsuit alleges, Kazeminy was trying to get money to Coleman.

According to the lawsuits, in March of 2007, Kazeminy said that "U.S. Senators don't make s---" and he was going to try to find a way to get money to Coleman.

"On the one level it could just be a coincidence, on the other level this could be one of the reasons he's getting that money from elsewhere, to try to make up for his, to be able to pay off a loan, pay off a line of credit," says Schultz.

If/when this turns into a criminal complaint and/or indictment, Coleman is going to wish he was far, far away from Minnesota or Washington.