Burris turns up on Blago list of potential fund-raisers
SENATE SEAT | Entry calls for $5K-$10K 3 weeks before he got appointment
Sen. Roland Burris appeared to have a possible unmet fund-raising commitment with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign three weeks before landing a controversial appointment to the U.S. Senate, an internal Blagojevich fund-raising document obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows.
The list of potential donors, dated Dec. 3, contains an entry targeting Burris for up to $10,000 and indicates Burris intended to "call back with a date," presumably concerning fund-raising.
The Burris entry, which itself is not dated, raises new questions about the former attorney general's claim in a sworn affidavit last month that he shut down any discussion of raising money for or contributing to the scandal-tainted governor in a November discussion with Blagojevich's brother Robert. Robert Blagojevich chaired Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.
The entry was on a spreadsheet that included a "low goal" of $5,000 from Burris and a high fund-raising goal of $10,000. Entries of other potential donors reflected updates in November or early December.
Burris initially told the Sun-Times when the newspaper raised questions about his fund-raising activities in mid-February that he shut down discussions with Robert Blagojevich after Burris made his interest in the Senate post known.
In subsequent public remarks in Peoria, Burris contradicted that statement by saying he contemplated organizing a fund-raiser and tried to raise money but couldn't. The documents now raise questions whether Burris was still attempting to raise money before the former governor's Dec. 9 arrest. Neither Burris' lawyer nor his spokesman could be reached for comment Friday.
Burris is also on a second, Sept. 22, 2008, document entitled "Call List" that included a list of more than 100 potential contributors. Burris' direct law office number is beside his name with a note: "Will talk after Nov. 4 election."
The documents are a further indication of Burris' contacts with Blagojevich's fund-raising operation at a time when he made his aspirations to President Obama's vacant Senate seat known to several members of the governor's inner circle.
Blagojevich appointed Burris to the post Dec. 29. Burris' Jan. 8 testimony before a House impeachment panel has come under question after the Sun-Times revealed he failed to disclose fund-raising discussions. Disclosure of the discussions were important, critics have said, because Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell the Senate seat.
Burris has said there was no quid pro quo involved with Blagojevich and he voluntarily amended his testimony to be complete and truthful.
A Downstate prosecutor has launched a perjury probe into Burris' House testimony.