A month after his aide said he’d seek “necessary approvals at the proper time,” former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman apparently has not asked the Federal Election Commission for an advisory opinion about whether he can spend campaign cash on legal expenses related to two civil suits that allege benefactor Nasser Kazeminy steered unreported payments to him through his wife’s employer.

Now, Alliance for a Better Minnesota, which in November asked for FBI and Senate ethics investigations into the allegations (and later expressed gratitude on news of an FBI inquiry), has forced the question in a complaint filed with the FEC late last month. The complaint asks for more than the advice that Coleman said he’d seek; at its Web site, the Alliance calls on Minnesotans to demand the FEC take swift action. The FEC will likely do something in response to the complaint, though exactly what or when isn’t known. It’s one of two complaints against the Coleman campaign to be lodged with the FEC in two weeks.

From the Alliance letter (pdfs of page 1 and page 2):

This letter is a complaint … that U.S. Senator Norm Coleman is violating Federal Election Commission regulations as they relate to the use of campaign accounts for non-campaign purposes. … These allegations have arisen completely outside of the campaign and electoral process … [and] do not pertain to the performance of Senator Coleman’s official duties. … [W]e urge the FEC to take swift action, and rule on this issue as soon as possible.

From the FEC response (pdf):

This letter acknowledges receipt of your complaint on, December 31, 2008 … The respondent(s) will be notified of this complaint within five business days. You will be notified as soon as the Federal Election Commission takes final action on your complaint.