STATEMENT ON VERDICT IN DEAN ZIMMERMANN’S TRIAL:

The Green Party of Minnesota reaffirms its belief that Dean Zimmermann had no intention to solicit or take bribes. We base this on his record of more than half a century of service to his community and active work for justice.
We recognize that he has made serious mistakes in the handling of funds, and we do not condone or excuse those mistakes. Nevertheless, we believe that he was never motivated by personal gain.

Our hearts go out to Dean and his family in what is clearly a tragic
situation. We have serious questions about what appear to have been
questionable investigative processes by federal authorities. As a party we believe that the root of the problem is the vast sums of money being poured into politics and the climate of widespread suspicion and corruption that it creates. We are concerned about the legal bribery inherent in the existing political system.
The Green Party continues to stand, as it always has, for clean and fair elections, public funding of campaigns, and strict regulation of lobbying.

–The Green Party of Minnesota