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Green Party Challenges FBI Motives in Zimmermann Probe

September 11, 2005

Local Green Party officials are challenging the FBI and U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger to deliver a Grand Jury indictment of City Council Member Dean Zimmermann or close its investigation into the bribery case.

Fifth Congressional District Green Party chair Stephen Eisenmenger said Sunday that the party is concerned about the timing of the charges against the Sixth Ward council member—one of two Green Party incumbents on the council—and that the affidavit detailing those allegations “lacks context.” Without access to the entire transcript of the taped conversations between Zimmermann and an unidentified FBI witness, Eisenmenger said, it’s impossible to know how to interpret Zimmermann’s remarks. Depending on the context of the interviews, he argued, Zimmermann could’ve been talking about “helping small business in the Somali community” or “supporting a green roof on a building.” He added that the FBI has a long history of “politically motivated” investigations.

Eisenmenger said two members of the Zimmermann campaign were subpoenaed to testify Monday before a Hennepin County grand jury, but were told Friday their appearances had been cancelled. He also questioned why U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger cancelled a Friday press conference where he was to release a statement on the case. “He should hand down an indictment or close the investigation,” Eisenmenger said. “It’s well within a citizen’s right to make this reasonable request in asking for that.”

Heffelfinger’s office declined to comment on the case Friday.

The FBI affidavit released Friday alleged that Zimmermann had taken $7,200 from an FBI witness over the past several months for his re-election campaign and to cover legal bills in exchange for his lobbying to get the developer’s project re-zoned. The effort failed. Zimmermann, on his lawyer’s advice, has declined comment on the allegations, which came five days prior to a hotly contested primary election between himself and Eighth Ward incumbent Council Member Robert Lilligren.


Submitted by Stan Gotlieb (not verified) on September 14, 2005 - 08:37.

My daddy used to say that figures don't lie, but liars figure. In the same way, "facts" can be presented in different ways to "prove" different realities.

Take the case of Dean Zimmermann. While the Star-Tribune hammers home the allegations of wrong-doing against Councilperson Zimmermann (see today's article by Lonetree,in which he does his best to paint Dean a loser and a crook), the Observer has captured the essence of the problem: that the FBI may be engaging in political maneuvering - and that it is far from proven that anything untoward happened between Dean and the (paid?) FBI informant upon whose edited testimony all the charges rest. That's the difference between abuse of the press process by the Strib and authentic journalism by the Observer. You are to be congratulated.

Anyone who has spent any time in or around the Peace and Justice movement in the Twin Cities has stories to tell of how the FBI has abused its power for political purposes. COINTELPRO, the attempt to destroy opposition to the Vietnam War, has not died, it has merely been changed into another form. This time, it is Dean Zimmermann who is paying the price (and legal defense, as we all know, is pricy indeed) for a lifetime of work on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised, starting with the Freedom Rides and continuing to this very day. Next time, it could be the Observer.

Dean Zimmermann is a poor man. He is deeply in debt due to the move forced on him by redistricting, the cost of campaigning, and the need to defend himself against these baseless charges. Contributions to his defense fund should be addressed to David Tilsen, 3220 10th Avenue South, Minneapolis MN 55407

Submitted by Micah (not verified) on September 19, 2005 - 12:02.

I agree with Edwin, there is no reason why the FBI would be out to get Zimmermann. He has little power nor sway on the council, he is an outsider! What does the FBI have to gain from Zimmermann losing an election?

Submitted by Edwin Holmvig-Johnson (not verified) on September 18, 2005 - 00:22.

I seriously question those who charge that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is attempting to destroy the career of Council Member Zimmermann. What possible reason could the FBI have for this? Are we in the Left so paranoid that we think Zimmermann is important enough for the FBI to defame? The Left has a reputation for being crazy and much of it is warrented by aging hippies who refused to embrace the realities of global economics, security and cling to old idealisms. The FBI/Republican leadership would have no reason to hurt the Greens, if anything they would support them (Support the Green Party has ACCEPTED by the way) in order to defeat Democrats. I am very sad if these allegations are founded as even though I disagree with Zimmermanns odd notions of PRT and his belief that the City has a legitimate place in drug control policy, I always felt his heart was in the right place. But I am not crazy enough to believe that the feds today go around and interfere with local elections.