Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s (D) brother, Robert, “solicited U.S. Sen. Roland Burris for up to $10,000 in campaign cash before Blagojevich named Burris to the coveted post — something Burris initially failed to disclose under oath before an Illinois House impeachment panel, records and interviews show,” the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Burris acknowledges being hit up for the money in a new affidavit he has sent to the head of the House committee that recommended Blagojevich be removed from office.
The affidavit is dated Feb. 5 — three weeks after Burris was sworn in to replace President Obama in the Senate.
Burris — who did not give money to the Blagojevich campaign fund in response to the previously undisclosed solicitation — provided a copy of the sworn statement to the Chicago Sun-Times Friday in response to questions about his contacts with the Blagojevich camp about fund-raising.
Burris acknowledged having three conversations with Robert Blagojevich, who headed the Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund — and one of those was likely recorded by the FBI.
The article notes that Mr. Burris’ statement “offers the third version of events he has given about his discussions concerning the Senate seat, to which Blagojevich appointed him in late December, after Blagojevich was hit with federal corruption charges that included an allegation he tried to sell the Senate appointment.”
Meanwhile, Politico reports that “Democrats in Washington and Illinois are becoming increasingly concerned that Sen. Roland W. Burris will be a weak Senate candidate if he runs in 2010, giving the GOP a shot at winning President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.” Any ties to the impeached Illinois Governor, fair or unfair, will certainly not help that outlook.
Update: Politico reports on Mr. Burris’ defense today at a press conference. By way of observation, Democrats cannot be happy that the Illinois Governor is still being talked about among the media. This is a story they would like to quickly see dissipate.
Congress in Your Pocket
