LA Senator Phone Scheme: University of Minn. Morris Reacts to Grad's Involvement 

MORRIS, Minn - In July, 2009, Joe Basel's future looked bright after receiving a degree in management from the University of Minnesota, Morris.  But now he's facing charges that could put him in jail for the next ten years.

Paula O'Loughlin was one of Basel's political science professors at UMM.  O'Loughlin said Basel was an active participant in the university's student political scene on campus, but didn't get into any trouble.

"I was surprised when I heard...It's surprising whenever you hear of someone you know allegedly doing something illegal,"  O'Loughlin said.  

The University of Minnesota Morris released an official, but brief, statement about Basel on Thursday.

"Joel Basel graduated in July of 2009.  He was a very active student leader in his time on the University of Minnesota, Morris campus."

Basel and the other men are said to have wanted embarrassing footage of Landrieu's staffers handling constituent calls.

Landrieu had recently been criticized for allegedly dodging calls that were critical of her stance on health care.

In a statement Landrieu said the plot was "unsettling" and she'd like to know the "motives and purpose."

The men have been charged with entering a federal building under false pretenses for the purpose of committing a felony.

The FBI is heading the investigation.

According to O'Loughlin, Basel has no history of being involved in "anything like this" while attending the University of Minnesota, Morris campus.

"I'd characterize him as a student that was involved with a lot of issues across the spectrum. He wanted to make a difference...but I'm surprised," said O'Loughlin.  

One of Basel's alleged accomplices, James O'Keefe, also recently made news when he  secretly filmed a meeting with the community organizing group ACORN.

O'Keefe had posed as a pimp trying to enlist financial support from ACORN.

As a result of the footage ACORN lost federal funding.

All four men are free on $10,000 bail and are due back in court Feb. 12.

Written for the Web by Anthony Kiekow

akiekow@ksax.com