CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - The brother of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich solicited Sen. Roland Burris, D-Illinois, for up to $10,000 in campaign cash before Burris was named to his Senate seat, according to Burris staffers and an affidavit obtained Saturday by CNN.
However, in the affidavit, Burris said he refused to contribute to Blagojevich or to assist in fundraising for him.
Burris' appointment by Blagojevich was hotly disputed, as Blagojevich is facing corruption charges. Prosecutors' allegations against him include that he attempted to sell the Senate seat, vacated by President Barack Obama upon his election, to the highest bidder. He was ousted from office last month by Illinois lawmakers.
In his January 8 testimony before an Illinois House impeachment panel, Burris, the former Illinois attorney general, said he had no conversations with Blagojevich about his desire to be appointed to the seat prior to Blagojevich's December 9 arrest. Burris also said that he was not aware of any "quid pro quo"
with the former governor.
"I can for this committee state that there was no legal, personal or political exchange for my seat," Burris said.
From CNN Politics
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And some of you posters thought that Republicans had a monopoly on corruption?
Take a peek at the freezers of any politician & you will see a lot of under the table cold hard cash.
They are all corrupt in that they either take money or know of ones that do and say nothing. Then there are the ones who are moral delinquents, cheat on their spouses or drive under the influence.
It's time to open your eyes and sniff the coffee.
Burris has proven himself to be corrupt and slimy. Let's see: he knows that Blagojavich is crooked. He understands that he is being used by Blago as a political pawn and that he has a bonus because Blago can play the "race" card. In spite of all this, he accepts the seat. Now that he's safely in, he turns on the one who appointed him.
There's something highly indecent about all this. What I see in Burris is a desperate office seeker who would sell his soul if it meant two years in the Senate.
I hope Illinois Democrats will do an overhaul of their party before the 2010 elections. Burris deserves the same treatment as Blagojevich - to never be allowed to seek office in Illinois again.
He's proven himself to be totally corrupt. The only difference between Burris and Blago is that it appears Burris' IQ is about 20 points lower.
That's why Whoopi Goldberg mocked the idea of appointing black people as Secretaries of State in the Bush's administration as she, for one, knew & gathered black people just couldn't shut up and know when to talk and when not to talk. Here comes another example, BURRIS!
The same old people leaving the same old comments. You guys need to come up with some new comments. They're becoming as old as the majority of our politicians.
Why did he wait until now to bring this up, He was ask up front was he contact in anyway and he said no, now he is bring this mess up I would not feel sorry for him if they was to remove him from the SEN. Now he is makeing himself look like a fool
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Instead of trying to find fault with people why not forgive them and do what we can to help them. We're all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God. No-one is any better in God's eyes than anyone else. What this world needs is kindness, understanding, forgiveness and love, not more jails and prisons. Jesus said unless we forgive everyone our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.
To say Burris and his appointment is tainted is an understatement. Obviously the whole matter should be diligently scrutinized with appropriate action being taken, including, if warranted, removing Burris. The whole thing is a disgusting mess. The average person has to be getting totally sick of all politics, I know I am.
The Dimmycrats just lost the Illinois senate to a Republican by
allowing this pathetic loser to be appointed by Blago.
I don't know whose ego or hunger-thirst for political office is greater,
Blogo's or Rolo's.
And that's all they do, Simon.
Fight. And it's rather unfortunate that when in defeat they cry and scream and 'fight' like little girls.......
I thought it was the Democrats and Obama who were the elitists???
It's so nice to have our government moving again!
(and a little positive energy to boot!)
Typical of the Democratic party.
Pay to play. He needs to go.
NO ONE should ever use the word "hate."
To post here that someone "hates liberals" is shameful.
HATE is why were are in a heap of trouble all around the globe.
Until that word is scoured from our collective vocabularies, we will never understand how vicious it is.
I thought there was no free lunch in America.
"Ken",
time to start to learn something. Now, start with this: "Mr. President of United States, Barack Husein Obama"! Repeat this 10 times now, and 10 times every night before you go to sleep, until you learn this.
Thank you, sir!
There is a problem with Chicago Politics. It has been and may alwasy be that way. Burris is dirty that is a fact. Jesse Jackson Jr. as well. They will have a hard time finding anyone clean there.
Michelle took a job in Mayor Daleys office. People who credited Barack with working as a "community leader" were wrong. It is a political means to a political end. It was not because he wanted to give back. He had a political ideal and wanted to be a politician. I give him credit for playing the game. He got there faster than anyone could have imagined.
It does not matter if you are Republican or a Democrat. The politics in Chicago are inherently dirty. It does make you question Barack and his chief of staff.
Hmm... Better get Burris setup for an appointment for amnesia meds.
As I read this story (now) Sen. Burris (should be ex-Sen Burris) lied to the lawmakers of Illinois. This doesn't do anything but continue to keep alive the Crooked Politicians of Illinois; the lawmakers of
Illinois should right their wrong.
This sounds just like someone else who "had no prior conversations" but it turned out that he lied too. Seems pretty common nowdays in Washington.
As I look back, the U.S. Senate held up letting (now) Sen. Burris (should be ex-Sen Burris) in to the Senate Family; however, pressure by the Black Caucus caused the Senators to allow Burris to take his seat in the Senate. I am wondering what the members of the Black Caucus are thinking. Are they having second thoughts. Did they themselves look into Burris thouroughly or did they take him at face value?
Rod, Tony Rezko and now Burris. Only a matter of time until the Obama/Rezko real estate deal sees the light of day. Then everyone in the country will know what we've known in Chicago. Obama is a product of the Chicago democratic machine. Bought and paid for.
Must be worried about those tapes!
Sadly, there will always be the perception that this seat was bought...even if it wasn't. The reality is that moral value in America is in crisis not only in the private sector, but also the political sector. Gosh, I just wish Jesus would get here today.
Wow Ken, I'm sure your wife and children hate you and I can see why. Your a complete Moron.
Looks like Burris will have to start making the rounds of
the talk shows as Blogos sidekick.
Just another lying Democrate, we are use to it by now. The next thing we know dip*hit will bring Blago in for sec of commerce.