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Burris Admits Talks With Blagojevich's Brother

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The New York Times

Published: February 15, 2009

CHICAGO - In the weeks and months before Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on charges he tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat, Roland Burris, whom Blagojevich would ultimately appoint to the Senate, had conversations about the seat with the governor's brother, his chief of staff, and one of his top fundraisers, Burris has acknowledged.

In three conversations with Blagojevich's brother, Rob Blagojevich, in October and November, Burris says the brother sought "my assistance in fundraising" for the governor - assistance Burris says he never provided.

The disclosures came in an affidavit that Burris filed last week with the Illinois House committee that oversaw Rod Blagojevich's impeachment. Burris said he provided the new affidavit to "supplement" earlier sworn testimony he gave before state lawmakers seeking to impeach Blagojevich.

It marks the first time that Burris has acknowledged contact with close Blagojevich confidants, including the governor's brother, during the period when federal authorities say Blagojevich was trying to figure out how much he could get in return for the seat vacated by Barack Obama.

In fact, during Burris' January testimony before the impeachment committee - just before he was seated in the Senate - Burris was asked directly whether he had talked to any person on a list of Blagojevich confidants. At that time, he cited an earlier conversation with one former aide to Blagojevich, but mentioned nothing of Rob Blagojevich's more recent efforts seeking campaign contributions.

Some state lawmakers said they were outraged by the revelations coming at such a late date.

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