Roland Burris caught on Blago tapes?

Federal investigators now want to talk with Roland Burris, the man appointed to the Senate by disgraced and impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich in Illinois.  According to Burris’ lawyers, the wiretaps may have caught Burris chatting about the Senate opening with Blagojevich or his staff.  Burris now has to fend off calls for his resignation by the legislature that has already expelled Blagojevich:

Burris’ evolving explanation of what happened took another twist when he said federal investigators want to talk about his appointment to the Senate seat that Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell.

“What I understand is some of the agents have reached out to my lawyers,” Burris said, adding “they want to meet with me.”

Burris attorney Timothy Wright acknowledged Burris may be on a covert recording in the Blagojevich investigation but declined to explain the senator’s comment about meeting with federal agents, saying “the FBI has not come to us and they’re not asking us for anything.”

Burris, a former attorney general, alternately looked nervous and feisty at a hastily arranged news conference in Chicago just a day before he was to embark on a statewide listening tour to meet the constituents he has represented for about a month. At times, Burris and his lawyer gave contradictory answers or no answers when pressed on whether he told the whole truth about his role.

Whoops!  Blago insisted that Burris was clean, although Illinois had little choice but to certify him in any case.  Now Burris may have starred in one or more of the conversations the feds have on tape, which means that the little pas de deux Burris played with the legislature makes it more interesting.  If Burris lied under oath, then the taped conversations could prove it.

No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this post)

February 16, 2009 · Filed Under BlagObamaGate, Roland Burris


Comments