The "cooperating witness" told the FBI last May that Zimmermann sought campaign contributions in exchange for supporting zoning changes that would aid Chicago Commons. Zimmermann allegedly took $7,200 from the witness during three meetings in June and August, court documents said. The meetings were secretly recorded. Those recordings have not been made public.
Zimmermann ultimately joined in the unanimous council vote to reject the proposal to allow more retail in the project. He allegedly explained to Carlson that he had tried, but failed, to round up council support.
In September, Zimmermann arrived at Chicago Commons for another meeting with Carlson. The developer walked out of the meeting as two men in dark suits walked in, Zimmermann said. He figured by their look they were FBI agents.
Indeed, the agents questioned him on the spot. In January, Zimmermann was indicted.
He declined to discuss much about the case, except to say the bribery allegations are not true. He said he tried to help Carlson as he would try to help any constituent. When Carlson said he wanted to donate money to Zimmermann's campaign, Zimmermann said, he suggested Carlson contribute to a legal fight over redistricting. "Where's the crime?" he said.
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Whether he is guilty of extorting a bribe or not, the question ought to be why did Zimmermann allowed himself to be caught in so compromising a situation in the first place when two of his predecessors on the council were caught and convicted of corruption.
Voters in 16b need to ask why Rep. Olson chose to devote so much time promoting PRT with this ethics-challenged Green.
Zimmermannn spent a lot of time in office promoting Personal Rapid Transit or PRT. Sometimes he would join up with Mark Olson (16b) at City Hall or the Capitol for a weird and wacky PRT dog & pony show.
Zimmermann's indictment can't be welcome news for Mark Olson and other prominent Minnesota PRTers like Senator Michele Bachmann.
Learn more about the PRT scam at the PRT is a Joke web site.
