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Petters case raised in Senate race

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Oct 23, 2012 at 6:16 am

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) Republican Kurt Bills is questioning Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar's handling of a case during her days as Hennepin County prosecutor.

Bills responded Monday to a story by the Washington-based conservative news site The Daily Caller, which suggested Klobuchar didn't pursue a case against businessman Tom Petters in 1999 when her office prosecuted several people associated with him.

Several years later, Petters was charged and convicted in federal court for operating a massive Ponzi scheme.

Klobuchar campaign spokesman Linden Zakula says Klobuchar never asked prosecutors to refrain from investigating Petters. He says she was never given evidence to pursue possible charges.

The Caller article points out Petters donated to several of Klobuchar's campaigns. She returned the money.

Petters also gave money to Republicans. He is serving a 50-year prison term.