Illinois Prosecutor Investigates Newest Senator, Roland Burris
A prosecutor in the capital of Illinois is reviewing whether Sen. Roland Burris may have violated perjury laws by giving differing accounts to state lawmakers about his contacts and fund-raising efforts for the state’s embattled former governor.
John Schmidt, the state’s attorney in Sangamon County, said he was reviewing statements made under oath and perjury case law following a request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the Chicago Tribune reports. The investigation comes as the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee also begins a probe, according to the New York Times and Washington Post.
Burris was appointed to the Senate by Rod Blagojevich before the Illinois governor’s impeachment. Federal prosecutors have accused Blagojevich of trying to sell the Senate seat, but have not accused Burris of any wrongdoing.
On Monday, Burris revealed that he tried to organize a fund-raiser for Blagojevich following a request by the governor’s brother, even as he was seeking the Senate seat. In prior sworn affidavits, Burris said he never offered any favors to Blagojevich and he refused to raise money for him. But now Burris says the refusal didn’t come until after the unsuccessful attempt at putting on the fund-raiser.
Burris has also given differing versions of his contacts with Blagojevich representatives in affidavits and Illinois house testimony.
Michael Ettinger, a lawyer for Blagojevich’s brother, said he believed some conversations between Burris and his client may have been recorded by federal investigators, according to the Times and Tribune. Burris denies he is revealing new information because of the possibility of tapes.
