More corruption, more history

We neglected to mention that Tim Pawlenty pal, State Auditor Pat Awada, is also hip-deep in the muddy morass of dishonest telecom companies. Awada ran her own company which was paid to verify that Pawlenty's company was doing legitimate business. State regulators say her company failed in that role.

Then there is Republican strategist Elam Baer, chairman of the board of New Access Communications and advisor to Pawlenty's transition team. A thumbnail outline of these relationships was researched by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.