Burris confirms request for Blagojevich donation
February 14, 2009 9:27 AM
February 14, 2009 9:27 AM
U.S. Senator Roland Burris has disclosed for the first time that he was asked for up to $10,000 in campaign donations by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother before he was appointed to the Senate seat by Blagojevich, according to a published report.
Burris didn't make the donation, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site today. Illinois' junior senator gave the newspaper a copy of a sworn statement about the campaign cash solicitation, which he previously had sent to the head of the Illinois House impeachment committee.
Burris, a Democrat, told the newspaper he sent the affidavit, dated Feb. 5, to Democratic Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie when he realized his testimony before the committee she headed wasn't complete.
"There were several facts that I was not given the opportunity to make during my testimony," Burris said. "I voluntarily submitted an affidavit so everything was transparent."
Currie, reached by The Associated Press on Saturday, said she's received Burris' statement but hasn't had time to compare it to his testimony.
Burris said he had three discussions with the ex-governor's brother, Robert Blagojevich, who led the Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund. The conversations took place after Burris expressed interest in the Senate seat to several Blagojevich associates.
Burris said he rejected the requests for money and "made it unequivocally clear ... that it would be inappropriate and pose a major conflict because I was interested in the Senate vacancy."
GOP state Senate Leader Christine Radogno said Burris should have disclosed the Blagojevich campaign solicitations earlier, both to the state impeachment committee and to the U.S. Senate.
"If it turns out this was some sort of attempt to avoid this coming out as part of the appointment process, then he doesn't deserve to be senator," Radogno told the Sun-Times. "I think the whole thing stinks to high heaven." Burris was appointed to the Senate in December by fellow Democrat Blagojevich, who was removed from office soon afterward. Burris filled the vacancy created by Barack Obama's move to the White House.
-- Associated Press
Burris didn't make the donation, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site today. Illinois' junior senator gave the newspaper a copy of a sworn statement about the campaign cash solicitation, which he previously had sent to the head of the Illinois House impeachment committee.
Burris, a Democrat, told the newspaper he sent the affidavit, dated Feb. 5, to Democratic Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie when he realized his testimony before the committee she headed wasn't complete.
"There were several facts that I was not given the opportunity to make during my testimony," Burris said. "I voluntarily submitted an affidavit so everything was transparent."
Currie, reached by The Associated Press on Saturday, said she's received Burris' statement but hasn't had time to compare it to his testimony.
Burris said he had three discussions with the ex-governor's brother, Robert Blagojevich, who led the Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund. The conversations took place after Burris expressed interest in the Senate seat to several Blagojevich associates.
Burris said he rejected the requests for money and "made it unequivocally clear ... that it would be inappropriate and pose a major conflict because I was interested in the Senate vacancy."
GOP state Senate Leader Christine Radogno said Burris should have disclosed the Blagojevich campaign solicitations earlier, both to the state impeachment committee and to the U.S. Senate.
"If it turns out this was some sort of attempt to avoid this coming out as part of the appointment process, then he doesn't deserve to be senator," Radogno told the Sun-Times. "I think the whole thing stinks to high heaven." Burris was appointed to the Senate in December by fellow Democrat Blagojevich, who was removed from office soon afterward. Burris filled the vacancy created by Barack Obama's move to the White House.
-- Associated Press
