New Video: What Does A $600 Apartment Really Look Like?

Aug 07, 2008

Matthew Miller, DSCC

As Coleman readies for real estate fundraiser, Minnesotans discuss his sweetheart apartment deal; Watch here

One day before Republican Senator Norm Coleman hosts a fundraiser with real estate agents in Saint Paul, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released a new video featuring Minnesotans discussing Coleman’s $600 per month apartment rental deal. One Minnesotan in the video summed it up when she said, “I’m sure that Norm Coleman gets that kind of a deal because he’s Norm Coleman. And because it’s somebody who wants something from him. And Norm Coleman is probably giving him something that he wanted in exchange.”

“Norm Coleman may be turning to real estate agents to fund his campaign, but he it’s pretty clear he didn’t need one to help find his sweetheart apartment deal in Washington,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “Average Minnesotans can’t skip payments to their landlords or pay a month’s rent in used furniture, but Norm Coleman clearly is no average Minnesotan. When Coleman is raising money from realtors tomorrow, maybe he can ask one of them to find him find an apartment where ethical clouds are not included.”

As first reported by National Journal, Coleman rents a Capitol Hill apartment in Republican operative Jeff Larson’s million dollar home for a mere $600 a month, and on two occasions he failed to pay any rent until questioned about it by a reporter and on another occasion he paid with used furniture. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee alleging that Coleman violated Senate ethics rules. Coleman has still failed to provide documentation of a lease or answer who pays the utilities for the apartment.

Information on Coleman’s fundraiser with real estate agents tomorrow is below:

Real Estate Community for Norm Coleman
Please join Jim Cormier, Orv Fillbrandt, Chris Galler, Wayne Gilbert, Kevin Goedker, Don Maietta, Mike Muske, John Smaby, Bill Tschohl and Dan Wagner for breakfast on Friday, July 25 in the Saint Andrew's Room at the Best Western Kelly Inn in Saint Paul from 8:30-9:30 AM in support of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman's re-election campaign.

Friday, August 8, 2008
8:00 am Private Real Estate Agent Fundraiser (St. Paul)
Best Western Kelly Inn
161 Saint Anthony Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55103-2362
(651) 227-8711