Sen. Al Franken's Democratic allies have been helping him pay off his legal bills.

Last month, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee paid $500,000 to lawyers who represented Franken in his lengthy battle with Republican Norm Coleman.  The July payment is reflected in a newly filed monthly report to the Federal Election Commission.

Franken was sworn in on July 7. The check to the Washington law firm came on July 16.

Coleman benefited from GOP help earlier this year. In May, the National Republican Senatorial Committee paid $938,000 of his legal tab. The NRSC's August report shows $8,640 in expenses related to the recount and court contest.

The two state parties also covered legal bills in the contest.