MINNEAPOLIS — A challenger for Rep. Ilhan Omar's U.S. Congressional seat is calling for her to respond after a lawsuit involving her husband's business dealings.
Don Samuels, who is running against Omar in the Democratic primary to represent Minnesota's 5th District, held a press conference two days after a Minnesota Reformer investigation reported a lawsuit has been filed against Tim Mynette - a well-connected political consultant and businessman along with being Rep. Omar's husband.
The lawsuit alleges that in 2021, Mynette and a business partner fraudulently promised Washington D.C. restauranteur Naeem Mohd they would triple his money if he invested $300,000 in a wine operation. Instead, the suit alleges, Mynette only returned the money invested without the promised 200% return,
Mohd is seeking $780,000 in damages plus interest, in addition to attorney's fees and other punitive damages.
During Thursday's meeting with reporters, Samuels highlighted the lawsuit mentioned in the Reformer, saying it was just the latest scandal in a string of stories that place the focus on Omar's personal life and business instead of issues that impact the 5th District and the country.
"Representative Omar has used her time, her three terms in Congress, what many would consider the honor of a lifetime, to divide our community and enrich herself," Samuels said.
Samuels told the crowd that Omar paid Mynette's consulting firm millions during her run for office - something KARE 11 has previously reported - and referenced the fact she has taken her husband along on trips paid for by foreign governments, including one to Qatar for the World Cup and another to meet with the president and former president of Pakistan.
The challenger called on Rep. Omar to address the lawsuit involving her husband
"In this case, we deserve honesty, transparency, and we deserve answers," he insisted.
When asked for comment on Samuels' statements Thursday, Omar campaign spokesperson Jackie Rogers pulled no punches.
"This is clearly a politically motivated attack and frankly it reeks of desperation from a campaign that is struggling to gain momentum. Since Rep. Omar secured the DFL endorsement on the first ballot our campaign continues to see a groundswell of support and enthusiasm," Rogers stated.
"Rep. Omar has no involvement in any business ventures. While our opponent is focused on a personal smear campaign, Congresswoman Omar's campaign is focused on the issues that matter most to the voters of the Fifth District and improving their daily lives."
KARE was unable to reach Tim Mynett Thursday. His business partner Will Hailer provided the following statement:
"These are contract disputes between parties used opportunistically by an individual for political gain."
Samuels is running for Omar's seat for a second time after being narrowly defeated in the 2022 DFL Primary.
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