Burris says legal tab now $500,000

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris says he’s rung up $500,000 in legal expenses tied to investigations surrounding his appointment by indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Burris was appointed by Blagojevich in December to President Obama’s former Senate seat, three weeks after the then-governor was arrested on federal corruption charges.

Burris was sworn in in mid-January, and Blagojevich was indicted last week on charges that include claims that he tried to auction off Obama’s seat to the highest bidder.

The Senate Ethics Committee and the Sangamon County state’s attorney are investigating the testimony Burris gave in January to an Illinois House panel about his contacts with Blagojevich.

Burris isn’t discussing the investigations but says he stands by his reputation.