Photo: MnIndy

Photo: MnIndy

Win or lose his pending election appeal, Norm Coleman has other legal matters to worry about: several allegations contained in lawsuits and other formal complaints about improper or unreported gifts and favors from wealthy friends. And a new federal ruling in the case of another pol looks like it won’t help Coleman.

A draft advisory opinion (pdf) from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the case of embattled U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) allows campaign funds to be spent on “legal fees and expenses incurred … in connection with a Federal investigation into the alleged provision of illegal campaign contributions. …”

But it’s not OK to tap campaign coffers for personal matters. Visclosky cannot “use campaign funds to pay legal fees or expenses regarding allegations unrelated to Representative Visclosky’s campaign or duties as a Federal officeholder.”

FEC opinions are precedential, so if commissioners adopt this language in their final opinion, they’re likely to lean the same way in Coleman’s case. His own long-delayed request for an FEC advisory opinion on spending campaign cash on expenses related to civil lawsuit and other matters is pending but could come any time. 

A lawsuit in Texas (and another in Delaware) contend that Coleman benefactor Nasser Kazeminy steered him $75,000 through a business relationship between a Texas firm Kazeminy controls and the St. Paul insurance firm where Coleman’s wife works.

One sign that things are stirring in Coleman’s case: an email dated last week that was posted to the FEC Web site within the last 24 hours. In it, Coleman’s attorneys clarify that they want an FEC opinion on the Texas lawsuit as filed, withdrawn and refiled last fall.