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Kucinich asks federal authorities to investigate Cimperman stunt

Thursday, January 17, 2008Mark NaymikPlain Dealer Politics Writer

Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman hoped to get noticed by showing up with a camera-toting campaign worker two weeks ago at the Lakewood congressional office of his rival, Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

Instead, Cimperman got the unwanted attention of federal authorities, who questioned him this week about the visit.

Kucinich, who is trying to defend his seat against Cimperman and three other Democrats in the March 4 primary, asked a federal agency to investigate the camera stunt, saying it broke federal law.

Kucinich made the request after Cimperman delivered a "missing" poster to his office on Jan. 3. Cimperman was mocking Kucinich for campaigning for president around the country.

He tacked posters featuring pictures of Kucinich to poles near his Detroit Avenue office. They said: "Last seen: Iowa and New Hampshire - anywhere but Northeast Ohio."

Cimperman entered Kucinich's office while a campaign worker taped him dropping off one of the posters at the front desk.

"I walked in, asked for Dennis, dropped off the poster and walked out, all in one big motion," Cimperman said. "I was polite and in there 20 seconds."


http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1200562414156060.xml&coll=2

Dennis has been catching hell here from Cimperman, whom Mayor Jackson of Cleveland has already endorsed.