Coleman sues Franken for defamation

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., has sued his Democratic challenger for defamation, claiming Al Franken's television ads make false claims about him.

Coleman sued Franken over ads that say he is the fourth most corrupt U.S. senator and lives "almost rent-free" in a Washington apartment, The Hill reported Thursday.

"Mr. Franken has chosen to push the lines of believability far beyond the bounds of the truth," said Mark Drake, communications director for Coleman's campaign. "That is his right -- but it is not his right to break Minnesota campaign law, and we believe that is what Mr. Franken and his campaign have done."

Franken campaign spokeswoman Colleen Murray said the ads are true.

"Our ads are factual and true, even if Norm Coleman doesn't like being held accountable for his conduct," Murray said. "Every time someone tries to hold Norm Coleman accountable, he runs to court to try to weasel his way out of it. And none of the three prior times he's done this has he been successful, and he won't be this time, either."

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published a list of the 20 "most corrupt" members of Congress this year. Coleman is not on the top 20 list, which names three senators, but is the first senator named on the "dishonorable mention" list.