| More Dem Corruption: Burris on tape in pay-to-play |
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| Written by TC |
| Wednesday, 27 May 2009 09:21 |
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A transcript of a secretly recorded phone call between the brother of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Sen. Roland Burris was released in federal court today, a call in which Burris, then seeking the Senate seat, was recorded offering the Blagojevich campaign a campaign check. "I know I could give him a check," Burris said. "Myself." But in the same call, Burris tells Robert Blagojevich he is concerned he and Rod Blagojevich will "catch hell." "And if I do get appointed that means I bought it," Burris said. "And, and God knows number one, I, I wanna help Rod," Burris says later in the call. "Number two, I also wanna, you know, hope I get a consideration to get that appointment." Burris was recorded saying the timing would be crucial to how the fundraising would be perceived. "And however that goes, ah, it would dictate, ah, you know how the press treats it," he said. "Understand," Rob Blagojevich answered. "'Cause man, I, I will be, you know we both would be profiled," Burris continued. "And we don't need that." A federal judge on Tuesday gave prosecutors permission to turn over the recorded conversation to the Senate Ethics Committee, which has launched a review of Burris's conduct prior to his appointment by Blagojevich.
Burris did not specifically mention offering Blagojevich a check in affidavits he filed in Springfield in connection with hearings on Blagojevich's impeachment. On a "good will" tour around the state in February, Burris addressed a conversation he had with Blagojevich's brother, Robert, during the fall timeframe.
Read the order allowing the government to turn over Burris' recorded conversation HERE.
Read the government motion and transcript of the secretly recorded phone call HERE.
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