| Author
|
Post |
 
|
|
Adam Ford
F L I N T O I D
|
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/1957
Sixth witness for the prosecution: Bruce Shoemaker
Shoemaker is a freelance consultant for humanitarian causes in Southeast Asia who met Zimmermann in 1998 when Zimmermann served as a contractor on his home. [The judge referred to Shoemaker’s “colorful” and interesting life: Shoemaker had just returned from a houseboat on the Ohio River and planned to go back there after testimony.] In 2002 he became a major plaintiff in the redistricting lawsuit. Initially Shoemaker got involved as a result of working for Shane Price’s campaign in Northeast Minneapolis; he believes he was asked to join the lawsuit as a resident of the Third Ward.
Shoemaker said there was a fundraiser for FREE in late 2002, but not much effort was put into fundraising: there was no decision-making structure in place, so nothing was really coordinated. Originally there was a central bank account for donations, as well as a website and PayPal; money collected could go into that account or it could go directly to the lawyers to help reduce the debt. The treasurer was Dayne Walling (who worked for the Urban Coalition). When asked if anyone ever gave money directly, Shoemaker said he gave $500 directly to Leventhal, but he didn’t know the specifics of other direct contributions. He had understood that the plaintiffs would make a good-faith effort to raise money for the attorneys. When the depositions came out, legal and other fees became an issue. Shoemaker said people signed onto the lawsuit like it was a petition; he tried several times to coordinate the group, since his career allowed him periods of free time.
The prosecution then presented Exhibit 11, an April 4, 2005, invoice to FREE from Leventhal for legal services, etc. (mailed to Shoemaker’s home). The total was $101,753.36 for legal costs [the original total shown was $107, 902.01; however, several itemized payments were listed between January ’04 and January ’05, reducing the balance to $101,753.36. There were no itemized payments of $5,000.].
Shoemaker was then asked if he was aware of a $5,000 payment in June of 2005. He replied, “that sounds right.” Shoemaker then explained that since FREE was not a 501c3, contributions were not tax-deductible; Walling helped set up an account with the Urban Coalition so people could write checks to FREE and receive a tax deduction through the Urban Coalition’s 501c3 status. This situation didn’t last long: the Urban Coalition went bankrupt and Walling left, so it became hard to get FREE’s money out. Shoemaker said over $1,000 of FREE’s money was lost. The other FREE account was closed in early 2005: Walling had more responsibilities and simply burned out. The redistricting case was still on appeal in early May 2005; Shoemaker left town until late September.
Shoemaker was then asked, “You did get some money in last Fall?” Shoemaker said yes; he learned Zimmermann had received $5,000 plus another $1,000 for the redistricting lawsuit. Shoemaker discussed with plaintiffs the need for a bank account, but he said it was more difficult to do that under Homeland Security legislation. He said money was put in a separate bank account in Northeast Minneapolis and out of that, the plaintiffs paid Leventhal and a partner $1,000 and kept $5,000 in the account to see if the city would charge them for liability. The city had 90 days to appeal (they didn’t); the city had 90 more days to claim expenses (they didn’t; the window for doing so is now over). Money is still available to pay lawyers. The plaintiffs never signed an agreement to pay lawyers themselves, though Shoemaker made a number of contributions to FREE (his father and friends gave several thousand dollars). FREE also prepared a direct mailing to raise funds; he said he couldn’t remember if Zimmermann had helped, but Joe Barisonzi did.
Docherty then asked Shoemaker if Zimmermann had discussed any contributions with him on May Day 2005: Shoemaker said no. The prosecution then presented Exhibits 64 and 65, invoices from Leventhal dated September 6, 2005 and August 20, 2005. As with Exhibit 11, Exhibit 64 (September 6, 2005) showed a balance owed of $101,753.36. [The Exhibit showed no itemized payment of $5,000 for June 2005.]
Seventh witness for the prosecution: Dayne Walling
Walling came to Minnesota from Michigan in July 2002, and worked as a policy advocate (primarily on state-level issues, some metro) for the Urban Coalition. The president/CEO of the Urban Coalition assigned Walling to the 2001 redistricting committee to be helpful. Walling became treasurer, and the Urban Coalition offered fiscal sponsorship for awhile. Walling served from summer 2003 to May 2005, opening a Wells Fargo business account and funds to the Urban Coalition (Walling monitored the reports). Between $14,000 and $15,000 were raised when Walling worked as treasurer.
The prosecution presented Exhibit 10, a printout of an email from Leventhal to Walling dated June 23, 2004; the email listed fees totaling $106,013. When Walling closed the FREE account in May 2005, only a few thousand dollars remained. He remembered only two fundraising events: one that took place before he was treasurer and one during that period. He thought Zimmermann had done some fundraising but Walling said he never witnessed Zimmermann’s fundraising efforts.
Scott then asked Walling whether fiscal sponsorship disappeared with the demise of the Urban Coalition; Walling said yes. Some money (under $2,000, maybe $1,500-1,700; he told the FBI $1,071) was lost then; FREE also lost its 501c3 tax deduction for contributions. Between summer 2003 and 2005, Walling dealt with a few members of FREE: Zimmermann, Jenny Heiser, Tom Taylor. The email from June 23, 2004 from Leventhal to Walling suggested Walling pay Leventhal $1,500 (despite the much larger total debt owed). Walling said he never felt any pressure from Leventhal that the latter would sue for the money. Walling closed the account in May 2005 and wrote a check to Leventhal on May 27, 2005; after the check was written, only $1.63 remained in the account. |
_________________
Adam Ford
|
|
Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:04 pm |
|
|
00SL2
F L I N T O I D
|
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/1957
Where'd that come from? What is it?
Title: Day two of Zimmermann trial reveals tapes and video evidence
Author: Liz Mclemore, Special to the Daily Planet
Posted: Thu, 08/03/2006 - 10:02
Tells us where Walling was on August 3, 2006.  |
|
|
|
Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:04 am |
|
|
last time here
Guest
|
well well???  |
_________________
Guest post |
|
|
Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:14 pm |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
FlintTalk.com Forum Index
> Political Talk
