Gary Carlson Speaks

Developer and Builder Gary Carlson talks about the trial of Gary Dean Zimmermann:

8th Circuit Appeals Court Upholds Zimmernann's Conviction

Associated Press:

A federal appeals court has upheld the 2006 corruption conviction of former Minneapolis City Councilman Dean Zimmermann.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the evidence supported charges that he took an illegal gratuity for his support of a developer's projects.

The three judges on a panel of the court were unanimous in their 13-page opinion.

The appeals court also rejected the argument that Zimmermann was entrapped.

Zimmermann also appealed on the grounds that the trial judge limited the number of his constituents who testified he helped them without asking for anything in return.

The lower court let him call eight such witnesses, instead of the 13 he wanted. The appeals court found the excluded witnesses would not have made a difference.

Read the decision HERE.