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09/21/2005: "Dean Zimmerman Fact Sheet"
Dean Zimmerman Fact Sheet
Or
If all politicians are crooks, who needs
evidence?
If you are reading this, you have probably heard about the FBI raid on Minneapolis Council Member Dean Zimmerman’s house. The only official information that has been released is an affidavit prepared by an FBI agent in support of the search warrant. This affidavit is the major source for all of the news articles about this situation.
The story, as we know it now, is of the FBI, together with a developer who is “Cooperating” trying over and over and over again to get Dean to incriminate himself on tape and failing.
We do not know what the motives of the FBI and this witness (who’s name is Carlson) are. We do know from experience that the FBI and the
attorney cannot be trusted to tell the truth and are often used for political purposes. We also know that people generally do not do this level of “cooperation” with the FBI unless they have some pretty strong incentives.
Let’s look at the allegations in the affidavit, and what we actually know about.
Allegation #1.
A cooperating witness “CW” met with the FBI and said that he had talked to Dean Zimmerman about getting “help” with his zoning needs. He said that Dean has told him that he could help with an outstanding legal bill.
Implication – Dean was highly in debt, desperate for money and that he was asking for help.
Truth:
We can only speculate on the motivations for CW to meet with the FBI. The FBI has left this part of the story out.
Dean was not desperate for money. He was not personally liable for the legal bill. Dean was one of a number of Plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit. An organization called FREE (Friends for Re-districting Equally and Equitably) was set up to try and raise money for legal fees. FREE was officially disbanded when the lawsuit was lost, but a number of the plaintiffs decided to appeal. Dean was not among those favoring this approach but supported the group and promised to help raise additional money. Dean felt morally
obligated to help the other plaintiffs and further the interests of the Green Party in
Dean was not, and we emphasize not, personally liable in any way for any amount of debt incurred during the lawsuit challenge. This is the proposed motive for Dean to get involved in the Carlson Scheme and it is completely without merit.
Allegation #2
On May 23rd, CW told the FBI that Dean Zimmerman said he needed cash and needed it right away.
Truth:
Dean was not in great need for cash. It is true that his campaign was under funded, but no more under funded than every other campaign and political movement Dean had been in over the last 30 years. Again we can only speculate about what else was going on between Mr. Carlson and the FBI to motivate him to convince them that Dean could be bought.
Digression #1
It has also been rumored that Dean needed money to purchase the house he recently bought in order to stay a resident of his ward after redistricting. This is also not true. Dean has an excellent credit rating, and secured financing to purchase his home. This motive also is without merit.
Allegation #3
On June 6th CW met with Dean at a
Digression #2
This has been quoted by the media a lot to show the apparent discontinuity for the populist Green party politician to be saying “money money money.”
Truth:
This June 6th meeting was at the Black Forest Inn, it was a fundraising party for Dean on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. Dean was speaking to a group of over 100 supporters from a makeshift stage, and someone unknown raised his/her hand and asked “Dean what do you need?” Dean said “money money money”. As we can see, the affidavit is true, but not actually the truth.
Allegation #4
CW told Zimmerman that in exchange for Zimmermann’s vote and help on rezoning, he would “take care of him.” He said he would pay $4,000 to $5,000 to help the legal bill.
Truth:
This was in the crowded restaurant, well over 100 people present. There are no private rooms at the
Allegation #4
Dean discussed the $300 per person campaign contribution limit, and said that money could be given in the names of cousins.
Truth;
Again from the stage, Dean told people about the legal limit, but reminded them that their cousins, brothers, sisters, and friends could all give $300.
It is interesting that now it is incriminating for someone to remind the supposed briber of the legal campaign limit? Do most lawbreakers remind each other of the law they are breaking?
Allegation #5
On June 14th Dean received an envelope with $5,000 cash in it at another restaurant. Again CW talked a lot, and the longest sentence quoted is that in order for Dean “to do certain push and help and favors,” Zimmerman needs to be a councilman.
Truth
This is the major part of the case against Dean. Dean received an envelope containing a contribution to the legal defense fund. We know there were other people present at the meeting, but none of them are quoted, or were interviewed by the media. Also the quoted statement in the affidavit “to do certain push and help and favors” is such poor grammar and out of context, that is impossible to give it much credence.
Allegation #6
Dean also told Carlson to find people to give him $300 each. It is suggested that Dean suggested that he give them $50 extra.
Truth
Are we to assume that this developer needed to bribe other people to give Dean money. Anyway, suggesting this is not a crime, it is simply stupid and we don’t believe Dean did it. Even if he did do it, it is a campaign finance violation (if it actually happened) and not a criminal activity. Again with a lot of talk from CW we have Dean quoted as saying “yep.” Given the misdirection about the June 6th meeting, and the fact that we know there were more people at this meeting this again is no evidence at all.
Allegation # 7
Dean tried to get other council members to support the zoning change and was not successful.
Truth
What is actually said in the affidavit is that Dean had his aide research the zoning request, and that he talked to other council members about the issue. Eventually Dean did not support the zoning change at either the Zoning and Planning Committee meeting or the full Council. The affidavit even states that he was late and missed the meeting of the committee. Although we have been unable to confirm or deny that, it certainly doesn’t speak to this being something very high on Dean’s list of priorities.One would think if he was taking bribes to do something he would at least remember to show up and vote for it. Is the FBI implying that Dean takes so many bribes that he just can’t remember the commitments he made. Is it more likely that he never made any commitment at all and simply said “yep” and “you got it” when talked to by a developer who wanted help.
Allegation #8
When CW asked about the denial of the zoning request, Zimmerman researched alternatives, and said that he could not get a second for the motion for the zoning.
Truth
When a constituent calls about something they are disappointed in, it is common to say, “well I just did not have the votes, or I couldn’t get a second.” This is easier than “Your idea was a non starter and I couldn’t support it.” Anyway, Dean did research other alternatives and was told that there were no other alternatives. Dean said that he wished he had better news. Where is the problem here?
Allegation #9
On August 1st, CW called (at the FBI’s behest). At this meeting Dean gave him several contribution envelopes and reminded him that he had maxed out and that only other people (or his wife) could contribute more.
Truth
Sounds right to us
Allegation #10
On August 12 (again at the behest of the FBI) CW gave Zimmerman 4 envelopes with $300 each. The names were fake but CW told Zimmerman that these were his cousins. They were Somali sounding names. CW asked Dean about zoning possibilities for a couple of projects, and Dean responded with “probably” and “yea” and “if they could figure out how to do significant parking”. He discussed the need for underground parking at one of the sites.
Truth
Not very incriminating. Sounds like Dean was doing the job of a council member.
Allegation #11
When the FBI reviewed the campaign finance reports filed by Dean, the four fake names did not appear on the report.
Truth
As is supposed to happen, the treasurer of the campaign thought it was suspicious that Carlson’s “cousins” had Somali names, so the donations were never deposited into the campaign fund. In fact, the violation (of campaign finance rules) would have possibly occurred if they were deposited and reported. The FBI seized the unopened and undeposited envelopes during the search of Dean’s house. This shows the diligence of Dean’s campaign not to violate rules. It certainly is not incriminating.
Allegation #12
On August 31, once again CW (at the behest of the FBI) tried to bribe Dean and get him to commit a crime. He went to Dean’s house and gave him another$1,000. Dean accepted the money. They then talked a lot about zoning issues, and Dean responded again with “right” and “yea”. There is a statement by CW that the names of the donors will be filled in later.
Truth
We don’t know what the money was for. As this person had already given $5,000 to the legal campaign, accepting another $1,000 is not surprising. Again Dean agrees to no action. There is some talk about getting the names later for the $1,000. If that is the case, the money should not be deposited until the identity of the donors is made. There is no allegation that it was.
Allegation #13
Dean used a personal digital assistant.
Truth
We have not been able to confirm the existence of this “Personal Digital Assistant.” We are not in a position to confirm or deny its existence. If he uses one, how does he charge it up? Who pays for the electricity? Does he use it for personal, city, or campaign business? These
are all important questions. Where is the FBI when you really need them?
Summary
The Tribune ran an Op Ed piece by Dan Cohen, a former Republican Alderman. The large pictures a the top of the article- decided upon by someone on the Editorial Board of the paper, showed Dean along side of two convicted Aldermen. Even though the story offered no evidence to show that Dean was even connected to something illegal- remember no charges have been filed and as far as we know, no person close to Dean has been called to testify before a Grand Jury, the picture spoke a thousand words and all of the them were Guilt, Guilty, Guilty. Reporters have left out important parts of the story. A good reporter would have dug out that the June 6th “meeting” was a fundraising party, that there were other people present at the other meetings, but unfortunately the affidavit chargers were published without any context.
The public has a right to listen to and see the purported Video and Audio tapes from these meetings.
We believe that these will exonerate Dean. We call upon the US Attorney to make these electronic recordings public. It is the only fair thing to do. A public servant has been smeared by the government and the press. An intellectually honest and fair prosecutor would release the videos rather than these inaccurate and incomplete snippets.
FAQ
What does the affidavit say?
Let’s look at the actual affidavit.
Paragraph 1. –
The FBI agent introduced himself. David Kurkura
Paragraph 2.
- The purpose of this affidavit – to get a search warrant on Dean’s house.
Paragraph 3a –
Alleges that Dean took bribes.
Paragraph 3b –
Legalese.
Paragraph
4 - Introduces another FBI agent = Timothy
J. Bisswurm
Paragraph
5 - A “cooperating witness” “CW” says that “several months ago” Zimmerman solicited him for funds to help pay a legal bill.
Paragraph 6
The “CW” told the FBI that Dean said he needed cash and was “adamant that he needed cash right away.” CW said that Dean said this in response to a question on how CW could get Zimmermann’s support for a zoning permit.
Paragraph
7. The FBI alleges that on June 6th,
CW was “wired” and met with Zimmerman at a “Minneapolis Restaurant” and that when Dean asked what he needed he said “money money money”. CW said that he would give Dean $4,000 to 5,000 towards the legal bill. Dean said “you got it.” CW (and presumably the tape) also say that Dean discussed the $300 campaign limitation, and suggested that CW could give more by doing so in the names of his cousins.
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 9 On July 14th, Dean did not vote for the zoning request at the Zoning and Planning committee. The FBI says that this is because Dean was late to the meeting.
Paragraph 9a-9d
A Timeline of Zimmerman’s discussions with other council members on this zoning
request.
Paragraph 10 On July 22, 2005 the re-zoning proposal was unanimously denied by the full Council.
Paragraph 11.On August 1st CW called Dean to setup a meeting about another project, they met on August 3rd. They discussed the previous zoning project, and Dean gave him donation envelopes and told him what the limit was.
Paragraph 12. On August 15th, CW gave Dean four envelopes each containing $300 (for a total of $1200) with false names on them. There was discussion about the envelopes.
Paragraph 13 –
The FBI states that the false names on the four envelopes did not appear on Dean’s campaign finance report.
Paragraph 14. –
On August 31st, the FBI again (this time with audio and video recording of Dean’s home) gave $1,000 to CW and he gave it to Dean in a “Friends for Dean Zimmermann” envelope. CW talked a lot about his zoning needs, and Dean said things like right, and alright.
The rest of the affidavit is legaleeze as far as we can tell.
Who we are?
We are the Zimmerman for Justice Committee. This is a group of volunteers, mostly friends of Dean who have come together to give Dean the resources to defend himself.
Since Dean’s legal advice is to not make any direct statements on the case, we have found it necessary to do our own investigation to uncover the truth. This is the result of that investigation.
Who are the Chairs of the Zimmerman for Justice Committee?
Scott Cramer .
David Tilsen Former Chair of the Minneapolis School Board. Longtime Minneapolis activist. Currently works as a software project manager and freelance writer.
Why should I believe this?
In these cynical times of spin and deception in government, that is a good question. The leadership of this group is public, and they are long term members of our community. Former elected officials, business people, community anchors. We sign this statement and attest that it is what we believe to be true.
Why doesn’t Dean just deny the allegations?
The American Legal system is arcane and sometimes capricious. Dean is potentially facing serious charges. He will be facing the well funded and energetic FBI, and
is the one on the line and we respect his decision to follow the advice of his lawyers.
What happened to the $5,000
This is money raised for the FREE lawsuit. The lawyer, Larry Levinthal, told Dean to “hold on to it” as the appeal is still in process, and it is possible that at the end of the day the city may be responsible for some or all of the legal bills. If this happened, presumably, the money would need to be returned to the donors.
What happened to the $1200 (three envelopes of $300 each)
The FBI has it, they seized it in the search of the house. It was not deposited by the campaign into the campaign accounts.
What happened to the $1,000
Same as the $5,000.
Is this part of the
Zimmerman re-election campaign?
No, this group is not connected, nor do we coordinate our work with the campaign.
supporters of Dean’s reelection, some are not. None of the funds raised by this group can, by law, be used for the campaign. We are totally focused on the FBI’s investigation of Dean and the resulting publicity.
How can I contribute?
Financial
contributions can be made on line with credit cards at www.zimmermanforjustice.org
Checks can
be made out to Zimmerman for Justice and mailed to
Zimmerman for Justice
3220 10th Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55407