Burris Legal Bills Could Hit $400K; Embattled Senator Plans Defense Fund

An embattled U.S. senator from Illinois who is fighting efforts to force him from office, following allegations that he misrepresented his dealings with now-impeached ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, expects that his legal bills could hit $400,000.

So Sen. Roland Burris is seeking the Senate Ethics Committee's okay to set up a legal defense fund. It would solicit contributions for his defense in ongoing ethics and perjury investigations concerning his appointment by Blagojevich to the seat formerly held by President Barack Obama, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Blagojevich was impeached earlier this year and still faces a federal criminal trial concerning allegations that he attempted to barter Obama's seat for personal gain.

Burris is represented by attorney Tim Wright of the Chicago law firm of Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Durbin to Burris: You Should Resign; Burris: I Won’t"