Senator Now Says He Tried to Solicit Money for Blagojevich
By Peter SlevinWashington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By Peter SlevinWashington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, February 18, 2009
CHICAGO, Feb. 17 -- In the latest in a series of shifting accounts of his conduct, Sen. Roland W. Burris (D-Ill.) told reporters that he tried to raise money for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the same time he was asking Blagojevich to appoint him to the Senate.
Burris said he contacted "some people" about holding a fundraiser at the request of Blagojevich's brother, Robert, only to learn that no one was willing to help the governor. He said he later changed his mind, raised no money and contributed none.
The account to reporters in Peoria, Ill., was Burris's fifth version of his contacts with close associates of Blagojevich and the first time he acknowledged trying to raise money for the former governor, who was arrested and forced from office on corruption charges.
The revelation led Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt (R) and the Senate ethics committee to move Tuesday to open investigations into Burris's statements. Burris said he would answer "any and all questions." (continues...)
Burris said he contacted "some people" about holding a fundraiser at the request of Blagojevich's brother, Robert, only to learn that no one was willing to help the governor. He said he later changed his mind, raised no money and contributed none.
The account to reporters in Peoria, Ill., was Burris's fifth version of his contacts with close associates of Blagojevich and the first time he acknowledged trying to raise money for the former governor, who was arrested and forced from office on corruption charges.
The revelation led Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt (R) and the Senate ethics committee to move Tuesday to open investigations into Burris's statements. Burris said he would answer "any and all questions." (continues...)
No comments:
Post a Comment