Notes on the Dean Zimmermann Trial
- Another good post of Liz McLemore’s coverage of the trial, last Wednesday, day three, has appeared at Minneapolis Confidential. Days one and two of McLemore’s notes can be found here and here, and also at the Twin Cities Daily Planet, here and here.
- Day three is when the first tapes were played–and the trial began in earnest. Tapes clearly show Zimmermann taking cash from developer Gary Carlson. Just before the final recess of the day, Zimmermann on tape described how he had run a “straw man” as a candidate in the 6th Ward in order to force a primary.
- This may be the most politically damaging revelation at the trial thus far. James Lee Gorham, Dean’s “straw man,” managed to get 104 votes (7.26 percent) with a totally invisible campaign. Zimmermann’s shrewd manipulation of the electoral system, forcing an unnecessary primary election that cost the public money, bespeaks a certain cynicism antithetical to Dean’s adopted Green Party values. Two variants of Zimmerdefense died: (1) that Dean is by definition an innocent, a well-intentioned oaf who is really not capable of bribery or fraud and (2) that Dean is ultimately clean, that his friendly folksy ways and his willingness to “help” are being erroneously read as being open to corruption.
- Last Friday all remaining defenses crumbled, except perhaps to claim that Zimmermann was so scattered and ineffective that he was harmless. It was established that Zimmermann took the money from Carlson under the pretense of paying legal expenses incurred during the redistricting lawsuit but spent the money on personal expenses.
- I am sure that Dave Berger, Green candidate for State Auditor
is asking why Z decided to wear a Berger shirt on the first day of the trial. A photo of Zimmermann leaving for the first day of the trial appeared prominently in the Start Tribune this week–it is impossible to miss the Dave Berger name on the chest of the indicted. Associating Berger with bribery undermines his run for the position as the State’s financial watchdog. Did Z mean to screw over Berger, who was the top Green vote getter in the 2002 state-wide races but who is a little too clean cut for the Minneapolis Zimmermann/Bicking Green axis?
- Regardless of the verdict, Zimmermann emerges in this trial as a lumpen-Republican. Acting like a big shot–all about money, influence, development, and lunch– a guy who long ago decided to dance with the devil.
- The trial resumes Monday. It may go to the jury by Wednesday.
–Loosestrife
Original post by Loosestrife