Green Party Leader Convicted of Taking Bribes

Dean Zimmermann – recent member of the Minneapolis City Council – was convicted this afternoon in federal court of accepting $7,200 in bribes from a Minneapolis developer.

The jury took less than a day to find Zimmermann guilty on 3 out of the 4 counts in the indictment.

The trial lasted a week and a half and featured extensive undercover FBI audio and videotape of Zimmermann meeting with Gary Carlson, a local real estate developer – who sought Zimmermann's help in changing the zoning of his commercial property.

Of particular note was a meeting between the two for a lunch of chicken wings and Barcardi cokes. Shortly after ordering food, Carlson slid an envelope across the table to Zimmermann – an envelope containing $5,000 in cash.

That exchange took place in the wake of a birthday party for Zimmermann, during which Carlson asked him how he could help. Zimmermann simply relied, "Money, money, money."

Other highlights of the evidence against the Green Councilman included Carlson's surprise that Zimmermann would want to attend a Republican fundraiser. Zimmermann replied, "Republicans, Democrats, Greens ... What's the difference? It's all money."

Later on, while talking about his Democratic opponent in the race for reelection, Zimmermann remarked, "Lilligren has activists; we have money."

The testimony also revealed that Zimmermann filed an additional candidacy under a fictitious name in order to force a three-way primary before the general election. It was unclear from the trial whether prosecutors intend to file additional charges against the Green.

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Further Reading:

Political Analysis

Extensive Notes and Courtroom Illustrations from the Trial