Burris: Feb 4th affidavit to Impeachment Committee

February 15, 2009

1-5) Jan 5th affidavit to the impeachment committee
(1-7) Jan 7th Press conference denying contact (text)

(1-8) Jan 8th testimony before impeachment committee (text)
(1-8) Jan 8th testimony before the impeachment committee (vide0)

(2-4) Feb 4th affidavit to impeachment committee

(2-14) Burris comes cleans
(2-14) Burris questioner Jim Durkin doesn’t buy it

(2-15) Feb 15th press conference re: (2-4) affidavit (text)
(2-15) Feb 15th press conference re: (2-4) affidavit (video)

Text of Sen. Roland Burris affidavit to Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, chairman of the Illinois House impeachment committee.

February 4, 2009
State of Illinois
County of Cook

Affidavit of Roland W. Burris

I, Roland W. Burris, being first sworn on oath, depose and state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and recollection:

1. I am the Junior United States Senator for the State of Illinois.

2. On January 8, 2009, I testified before the Illinois House of Representatives Impeachment Committee and was asked, among other things, whether I had talked to "anyone closely related to the Governor" about my "desire to seek (the U.S. Senate) appointment" prior to Governor Blagojevich's arrest. I mentioned a conversation with Lon Monk but was then asked another question and did not mention anyone else. I wish to supplement my answer with other events that I have been able to recall, to make certain the record is complete.

3. On June 27, 2008, I attended a fundraising event for then-Governor Blagojevich, at which I encountered Doug Scofield and John Wyma. During that event, I likely asked Mr. Scofield and/or Mr. Wyma to tell Governor Blagojevich that I was interested in filling now-President Barack Obama's Senate seat if he were to be elected President of the United States.

4. I recall that Governor Blagojevich's brother, Rob Blagojevich, called me three times to seek my assistance in fund-raising for Governor Blagojevich. The first conversation was in early October, 2008, and the other two were shortly after the election. During the first conversation I asked Rob Blagojevich what was going on with the selection of a successor if then-Senator Obama were elected President, and he said he had heard my name mentioned in the discussions. In 1 of the other conversations (I believe the last one), I mentioned the Senate seat in the context of saying that I could not contribute to Governor Blagojevich because it could be viewed as an attempt to curry favor with him regarding his decision to appoint a successor to President Obama. I did not raise or donate any funds to Governor Blagojevich after the fundraiser on June 27, 2008.

5. In October, 2008, I attempted to contact John Harris via telephone to give a recommendation for my nephew who had applied for a job with the State of Illinois. Mr. Harris was unavailable and I left a voicemail message for him. Approximately three weeks later, Mr. Harris called and I discussed with him my nephew's qualifications for the job with the State of Illinois. At the conclusion of the conversation, I inquired as to the whether there was any news regarding then-Governor Blagojevich's possible picks to fill President Obama's Senate seat. Mr. Harris indicated that there was no news as to President Obama's replacement.

6. Before the November election I also called Ed Smith, a friend and supporter of then-Governor Blagojevich. Although I do not consider Mr. Smith closely related to or a representative of Governor Blagojevich, I mention for completeness that I asked Mr. Smith whether I had any chance to be appointed to the Senate seat. He said he would get back to me but he never did.

Further affiant sayeth naught

Signed

Roland W. Burris

United States Senator for the State of Illinois

Subscribed and sworn to me this 4th day of February, 2009

Signed