Former Minneapolis City Council Member Convicted of Accepting Bribes

Minneapolis - Former Minneapolis City Council member Gary Dean Zimmermann was convicted today in federal court of accepting bribes in connection with his official duties. Following seven days of trial before United States District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery, the jury deliberated for about six hours before finding Zimmermann guilty on three counts of accepting cash from a developer who had business before the city.

Following the verdict, United States Attorney Rachel K. Paulose said, "Public corruption will not be tolerated in this state. Minnesotans have the right to expect that elected officials will work for the public good and not for what they might gain personally through back-room deals. The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals who violate the public trust."

Evidence during trial proved that over a three-month period during the summer of 2005, Zimmerman took $7,200 in cash from developer Gary Carlson in exchange for a promise to assist with re-zoning issues relative to two of Carlson's development projects. One project was Chicago Commons, a condominium and retail complex located just outside Zimmerman's Minneapolis ward. The second project was a proposed retail mall for members of the Minneapolis Somali-American community.

According to evidence presented at trial, Zimmerman met with Carlson on June 6, 2005, at the Black Forest Inn restaurant in Minneapolis. At that meeting, Carlson explained his concerns about re-zoning issues regarding the Chicago Commons project. He then asked Zimmerman, "What can I do to help you?" Zimmermann replied, "Money, money, money." Eight days later Zimmermann and Carlson met at the Baja Riverside Restaurant in Minneapolis. There, Zimmermann was videotaped accepting an envelope from Carlson. That envelope contained $5,000 in cash. Trial evidence indicated that the money was provided in exchange for Zimmermann's assistance on the Chicago Commons zoning matters. On July 22, 2005, however, the Minneapolis City Council voted against the zoning proposal that favored Chicago Commons. After the vote, Zimmermann explained to Carlson that he had tried to rally support from other council members but had failed.

Evidence during trial also showed that on two other occasions, Zimmerman took cash from Carlson in exchange for assistance with zoning problems that arose relative to the development of the Somali-American retail mall. Specifically, on August 15, 2005, Zimmermann and Carlson reviewed proposed sites for the Somali-American mall. They also discussed zoning matters and the City Council ward in which the proposed development would be located. Later in the day, on a metro transit train platform in Minneapolis, Zimmermann was videotaped accepting four envelopes from Carlson. Those envelopes contained a total of $1,200 in cash. Finally, Zimmermann was videotaped on August 31, 2005, accepting $1,000 from Carlson. That exchange occurred at Zimmermann's Minneapolis residence.

Zimmermann also was charged with one count of soliciting property from people who had business with the city. He was found not guilty of that charge.

Late this afternoon the prosecutor in this case, Assistant United States Attorney John F. Docherty, said, "The jury's conviction of Dean Zimmermann on three of the four counts on which he was indicted certainly represents a vindication of the principles of honest and transparent government. But, this conviction represents more than that. Zimmermann alleged he was entrapped by overzealous federal law enforcement agents. The jury, by its verdict, said he was not entrapped. This verdict, therefore, vindicates the FBI and all other law enforcement agencies that make it a priority to pursue elected officials who have put their offices and their public trust up for sale."

Zimmermann is the third Minneapolis City Council member to be convicted of taking money or favors from constituents. Brian Herron was sentenced in February of 2002 to one year in federal prison for extorting money from a grocer who had inspection matters pending before the city. Joe Biernat was sentenced in April of 2003 to twenty-one months in federal prison for accepting free plumbing and remodeling work at a rental property he owned in exchange for his assistance on issues before the city.

Zimmermann faces a maximum potential penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the three counts on which he was found guilty. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Montgomery. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). After the verdict was announced, Michael Tabman, the Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis office of the FBI, said, "Public corruption is the FBI's top criminal investigative priority. FBI agents, working in concert with the United States Attorney's Office, methodically, cautiously, and quietly conduct these very sensitive investigations. Many of our investigations start with a tip from someone who encounters corruption. There is a growing intolerance by the American people of public corruption, an intolerance reflected in the willingness to come forward and report abuse of public office. We are always grateful for those who do."

###