Carlson Letter to Editor

Minnesota Attorney General Urged to Investigate

Possible Bribery of Minnesota Legislative Leaders

Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson has called upon Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellision to investigate possible bribery charges against the leadership of the Minnesota Legislature.

For several months, Carlson has expressed his concern about “Big Money” in state government to Ellison, who recently responded: “I certainly agree that money in politics is corrupting, corrosive and weakens the public’s confidence.”

In his letter to the Ellison, Carlson noted that the level of money raised by legislative caucuses has built “massive partisan staffs” who are paid for by state taxpayers, noting that the Humphrey School of Public Policy concluded that “special favors” are often granted to wealthy donor to “shape” legislation. Carlson said the arrangement “involves the key elements of bribery.”

Richard Painter, Chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration agrees with Carlson, stating: “Legislative caucus fundraising is so closely connected with the performance of official duties that it cannot be properly understood to be anything but bribery.”

Carlson suggested an official investigation will compel state leaders to testify under oath about why and how they “shape” legislation for the benefit of wealthy donors. “The public has a compelling right to know,” Carlson said, adding that “No one, most of all our elected officials, is above the law.”