The Daily MuckA lawsuit was filed Thursday by a Texas businessman who claims he was forced to funnel $75,000 in secret payments to Sen. Norm Coleman’s (R-MN) wife, Laurie Coleman. The businessman, Paul McKim, filed suit against ardent Coleman supporter Nasser Kazeminy, who owns nearly half of McKim’s oil-rig company. Sen. Coleman is in a tight race for re-election with Al Franken. (Politico)
It was all trick and no treat for embattled Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R), who issued an official statement yesterday that he would be hosting Sarah Palins’ parents at the governor’s mansion for Halloween. The scandal ridden Gibbons has thus far been snubbed by the McCain campain — a trend that looks to be continuing. Unfortunately for Gibbons, the McCain campaign denied that Palins’ parents would be attending. (Las Vegas Sun)
Newly filed court documents give details of former VECO CEO Bill Allen’s first interview with the FBI in August, 2006. The documents show that Allen gave favors to two former state reps. and a state sen. who may or may not be under investigation. Allen, who was the linchpin in Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-AK) conviction, however, said that Rep. Don Young (R-AK) could not be bought. (Anchorage Daily News)
Former Alaska State Rep. and convict Pete Kott (R) asked earlier this month to be released from jail while he works on his appeal. Kott is currently serving a six year sentence after being convicted of taking bribes from former VECO CEO Bill Allen. (Alaska Star)
In other Alaska news, recently convicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) claimed Thursday that he has not in fact been convicted. Stevens — a former U.S. attorney — insisted that he won’t be convicted or vindicated until the appeal process is over. (AP)
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) disclosed that he received $23,000 in donations to his legal defense fund between July and September. He did not show how or if the money was spent. (Fairbanks Daily News Miner)
The IRS spent over $1 billion in bad refunds last year according to a report from a Treasury Department office. The IRS blamed the loss on having too few resources to investigate tax fraud. (AP)
An American former jihadist testified at a trial Thursday at Guantanamo Bay saying that he was shown propaganda by the defendant — Osama bin Laden’s media secretary. The former jihadist, who is currently serving an eight year sentence, said the propaganda film he was shown was intended to make the United States and Israel targets. (Miami Herald)
Government records show that Attorney Gen. Michael Mukasey has spent over $155,800 in taxpayer money on private trips in government jets. Mukasey, who is required to only use government planes for security reasons, used the planes to visit his family. (McClatchy)
The trial of five men accused of plotting an attack on Fort Dix Army base continued Thursday with audio of a defendant talking about driving a fuel truck into a building. Thursday was the third day that the trial was dominated by recordings from shady informant Mahmoud Omar. (AP)
