Sen Burris receives Letter of Public Admonition from Ethics Committee

November 20, 2009

The Senate Ethics Committee has finally made a judgment in the investigation of Senator Burris’ possible perjury in relation to barry’s senate seat. They cleared him of any wrongdoing but issued a public letter of qualified admonition.

It ranks in the middle of sanctions after a private letter of admonition, private letter of qualified admonition and expulsion and censure.

They made sure to include the specifics as a way of embarrassing him so that he’d think twice about his vote on the healthcare bill. He’s holding out for a public option. It’s not a coincidence the committee made their pronouncement just prior to the test vote.

What’s interesting is they looked right past the real pay to play: Burris paid barry for his senate seat. Burris’ lawyer and long time friend and partner donated $50K to barry’s inauguration. It doesn’t get much clearer than that.

Sen Burris statement re: Senate admonishment

Pertinent quotes from the letter:

After an extensive investigation, the Select Committee on Ethics is issuing you this Public Letter of Qualified Admonition for actions and statements that reflected unfavorably on the Senate in connection with your appoint to and seating in the Senate.

The committee found that you should have known that you were providing incorrect, inconsistent, misleading or incomplete information to the public, the Senate and those conducting legitimate inquiries into your appointment to the Senate.

…the Committee did not find that the evidence before it supported any actionable violations of law…

Underlining and bold theirs – link added.

Your sworn affidavit and sworn testimony before the Illinois House of Representatives were incosistent, incomplete and misleading.

Your shifting explanations about your sworn statements appear less than candid.

Your November 13, 2008 call with Robert Blagojevich, while not raising to an explicit level of quid pro quo, was inappropriate.

Letter posted to Scrib by Chicago Tribune.

View this document on Scribd

Public letter of Qualified admonition

Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Mark L Pryor (D-AR)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Vice Chair Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
James E Risch (R-ID)

Their signatures are very interesting. It’s clear that Sen Risch thinks awfully highly of himself.

Source: Chicago Breaking News

Tags: perjury, president obama, public letter of qualified admonition, robert blagojevich, rod blagojevich, Select Committee on Ethics, senator barbara boxer, Senator James E Risch, Senator Johnny Isakson, Senator Mark L Pryor, Senator Pat Roberts, senator roland burris, Senator Sherrod Brown

Sen Burris statement re: Senate admonishment

November 20, 2009

Senator Burris statement re: Senate Ethics Committee findings and Public Letter of Admonition:

I am pleased that after numerous investigations, this matter has finally come to a close. I thank the members of the Senate Ethics Committee for their fair and thorough review of this matter, and now look forward to continuing the important work ahead on behalf of the people of Illinois.

Tags: perjury, president obama, public letter of qualified admonition, robert blagojevich, rod blagojevich, roland burris, roland burris affidavit, Select Committee on Ethics, senate ethics committee, senator barbara boxer, Senator James E Risch, Senator Johnny Isakson, Senator Mark L Pryor, Senator Pat Roberts, senator roland burris, Senator Sherrod Brown

Burris, Madigan not seeking Senate seat

July 9, 2009

Senator Roland Burris will not run for Senate seat. Will make announcement tomorrow. Main reason – no money – he raised less than $1K from Jan – March.

He is also still under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan bowed out of the senate seat and governor race yesterday and said she will run for re-election.

So who’s left?

barry’s basketball buddy, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for sure.

Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League (also worked for blago).

RFK’s son, Chris Kennedy, who runs the Merchandise Mart is “tremendously” interested but “not prepared to announce a decision at this time.”

My choice would be Tammy Duckworth but barry made sure she wouldn’t be available by appointing her Head of Veterans Affairs.

Source: WGN

Burris made incomplete financial disclosure

June 25, 2009

The Roland Burris expose continues. Remember “Certainly ain’t no pay to pay cuz I don’t have no money? He’s got some money stashed away after all. Although he was cleared on perjury charges, he’s still under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee. He did it even though he knew he was being closely scrutinized and that anything out of order would further “taint” him. He may not have arrived tainted but everything since has been. And when they get caught, they say they didn’t realize it or just forgot or TurboTax made me do it and then apologize and there’s no real penalty. What is considered an ethics violation worthy of sanction in the Senate? Vitter and the DC Madam wasn’t.

Anyway Sen Burris failed to report in his Senate financial disclosure form–total assets $900K to $1.8M–that he has options to buy 8,000 shares of stock in Inland Real Estate Corp. He was on the board from 1996 until January 15, stepping down just prior to his swearing in. Hard to forget when you consider he took in $64K last year and already owns 8,430 shares worth around $109K.

Apologetic response from Burris spokesman Jim O’Connor?

You are absolutely right. His unexercised options were not disclosed.

So it appears he had plenty of money after all. Plenty of money in fact to pay back his lawyer for his $50K donation to barry’s inauguration. Plenty of money for pay to play – directly to barry for his senate seat through his lawyer. The same thing he suggested to Rob Blagojevich on the audiotape.

And, and my law partner we were gonna try to do something at the law firm. I might be able to do this in the name of Tim Wright.

[Exercising my First Amendment rights] I will state once again that Burris paid for his senate seat in (continued) broad daylight right to barry, which is why he never paid blago anything. His lawyer’s donation was markedly out of character from his donation records. He had actually donated to Hillary Clinton. Burris has been around long enough to know that talking is fine but money can be traced. The whole city knew Blago was under federal investigation – just like we knew Rezko was under federal investigation when barry displayed his “superior judgment” in making his “boneheaded mistake” when he bought his house along with the Rezkos – Burris knew that any cash involved with Blago would be caught.

Why else did barry intercede? It was the first actual action barry made – completely out of character. The very first time he did anything.

Why?

Anyone ever going to look into it?

Because it won’t be the Senate Ethics Committee.

No perjury charges for Senator Burris

recovered missing post

June 19, 2009

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Schmidt — although Burris’ statements were vague, they didn’t support a perjury charge. Maybe not. But from his subsequent revelations, it’s clear he knew what he was doing in not answering. He was asked specific names. Jim Durkin deserves the blame for not making him give an answer to each name.

JOHN SCHMIDT letter to Michael Madigan:

Moreover, an individual does not commit perjury if he corrects the known falsity before the adjournment of the tribunal. This provision accomplishes the legislative intent of the law of perjury which is to get complete and truthful information before the tribunal.

….These were not substantive discussions concerning how to get the appointment, but rather Sen. Burris imploring the listener to tell Gov. Blagojevich he was interested.

…Burris’ responses cannot support a perjury charge. He said he could not recall anyone specific because there were many individuals urging him to run. The answer was
incomplete, but that is not perjury given the form of the questions.

…The two affidavits signed by Senator Burris dated January 5, 2009 and February 4, 2009 are not inconsistent, thus do not support a perjury charge. The January 5, 2009 affidavit only describes the actual appointment process of Governor Blagojevich appointing Roland Burris to the vacant senate seat. It is insufficient to support perjury charges based upon Burris’ testimony before the House Impeachment Committee.

The February 4, 2009 affidavit was requested by the Committee and filed to supplement Burris’ testimony. This affidavit does not support perjury charges based upon Senator Bums’ answers to the House Committee. This affidavit supplements and expands answers while the tribunal was still convened. It should be noted the affidavit was filed with the Special Committee long before Senator Burris knew his conversation with Robert Blagojevich was captured on tape. This fact supports Senator Burris’ claim the affidavit was meant to supplement the record while the tribunal was in sessi

In sum, based upon our review of the facts and the applicable law, there is insufficient evidence to charge Senator Roland Burris with perjury.

SENATOR BURRIS:

I am obviously very pleased with today’s decision by State’s Attorney John Schmidt. His investigation was both thorough and fair, and I am glad that the truth has prevailed. This matter has now been fully investigated; I cooperated at every phase of the process, and as I have said from the beginning, I have never engaged in any pay-to-play, never perjured myself, and came to this seat in an honest and legal way. Today’s announcement confirms all that.

Juneteenth Independence Day

Friday, June 19, 2009

From Sen Burris website:

Senator Burris Sponsors Juneteenth Resolution Observing End of Slavery in America

Today, Senator Roland W. Burris introduced a resolution observing the historical significance of the Juneteenth Independence Day. The Juneteenth Independence Day is observed every June 19th and honors the widely recognized end of slavery in America when, nearly two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves were finally told of their freedom.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were free. From that point on, former slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19thas the anniversary of their emancipation.

SENATOR BURRIS: Over the past 140 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to both honor African-American freedom and serve as a symbol of encouragement for the development and enrichment of cultures everywhere. In observing Juneteenth, it is important that we celebrate the end of slavery as a major step in guaranteeing equal rights for every American. We must continue to work to ensure that all in this nation have a chance to fulfill the American dream.

Joining Senator Burris as cosponsors of the bill were Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Kristen Gillebrand (D-NY), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Carl Levin (D-MI).

Audio/Text Roland Burris – Rob Blagojevich wiretap

May 27, 2009

Audio and transcript of Roland Burris’ November 13, 2008 telephone conversation with Rod Blagojevich. They discuss fundraising with Rob letting Burris talk and Burris saying he wants to help Rod but it’ll look like play to play. And that if Burris has a fundraiser – it will look like he bought it. But if he doesn’t get – the folks who he raised the money from will be upset.

Nothing in here is damning as far as Blago and pay to play. Something else far worse – yes. The problem with this tape surfacing is a) Burris didn’t mention anything until after he was seated – including in his original affidavit; b) he was adamant about it; c) he submitted a supplemental affidavit only after he knew (despite protest otherwise) there was a recording of him; and d) his ever-evolving story even after the affidavit.

There wasn’t anything technically perjurious about his testimony (video/text) before the Blago impeachment committee either. It just looks bad.

He “tainted” himself.

And what he did say could lead to some serious trouble and not necessarily to him. If anyone ever becomes interested in connecting the dots that are so blatantly obvious, they might just see how pay to play really works.

Transcript provided by Chicago Tribune

Click top right for full page or zoom to read and listen at the same time.

Phone conversation audio starts on page 12 and ends page 15.

===========================

View this document on Scribd

===================

Relevant transcript.

Here’s a short clip where he clearly “evades” Jim Durkin’s question saying he only talks with Lon Mon.

progressillinois

Here he denies it to a different questioner.

djohnsto77

There wasn’t anyone else besides Lon Monk?

No.

Roland Burris – Rob Blagojevich tape to be released

May 26, 2009

Haven’t heard much about Senator Burris except for that emergency landing. Now he’s completely out from under the radar. US District Chief Judge James Holderman ruled that a taped conversation between Burris and Rob Blagojevich (Rod’s brother and campaign finance man) be released to the Senate Ethics Committee. A conversation that reportedly has Burris saying he’s going to write Blagojevich a “fundraising” check.

Remember the “Certainly no pay-to-play involved ‘cuz I don’t have no money!”?

Why aren’t they looking at the check Burris’ lawyer wrote to barry?

Blagojevich on the Today Show (4-23)

April 23, 2009

Milorad was on the Today Show this morning to discuss his not being able to be on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.’ Afterward he flew to LA to hype the show and hasn't ruled out being involved in some other capacity. Viera touches on his case and stops just short of asking him if he's in touch with reality.

Viera was extremely rude and dismissive. What does she know about the case? Has she been talking to Patrick Fitzgerald?

She doesn't even have the grace to treat her guest with respect. The venom and condescension leaks from her. It's sad how she cannot even keep her feelings to herself while she does her job. It's why folks think of the Today Show as nothing more that a visual talking tabloid.

Selected parts. NBC video doesn't embed - nothing in You Tube.

BLAGO:

But I'm not ruling that there may be a possibility to play a role in some capacity on this program....I guess the judge did save me from eating bugs.

VIERA:

A lot of people are wondering why a former governor would want to be on a show like this? Why would you want to be running around the jungles of Costa Rica?

BLAGO:

I have two little girls and we have a mortgage to pay. I'm obviously looking for a new line of work as I work through the process of proving my innocence, which I firmly assert is in face the case.

It seemed like an exciting opportunity. It was an idea that was presented to me - it's not an idea that I had.

And he idea of being in a jungle, toughening it out, and sort of creating a little civil society with other people, and seeing how you can govern that society is not that unlike what it was like when I was the governor of the 5th largest state in America.

VIERA goes into the case against him like he doesn't know.

Do you fully understand the position you're in?

BLAGO:

Of course I do....you can't help but not appreciate the circumstances and potential consequences.

Then he gets tripped up. (4:20)

But I know what the truth is concerning EMPHASIS me. NOD And I BLINK know BLINK I've BLINK done BLINK absolutely, pause, SHAKES HEAD nothing, uh that, BLINK BLINK, uh, RAISES EYEBROWS, CAN'T GET THE WORD OUT illegal.

I never intended to violate any law. And that when the full story and the truth comes out I expect to be fully vindicate and clear my name.

In the meantime, I have to suppport my children and my family. And if it means going into a jungle and having to eat some bugs, it's just a testament to how much I love my kids.

VIERA:

What about you credibility? Do you worry that it is going to be further eroded...?

BLAGO:

I can't control what some people might think...there's a presumption of innocence...give me a chance for the court proceedings to show that what is being said is not in fact the case.

I appreciate the judge. He's right. I should focus on my case and my defense and proving my innocence and this will be a chance to do it...In the meantime...I need to make a living and support my children and my family.

VIERA:

Had you been allowed to go on that show would you think you would have won?

BLAGO smiles and likens it to an election [jury trial] and that it's up to the people.

It's like elections - I never predict the outcome. You just do the best you can and trust the judgment of the citizens.

VIERA:

Well, maybe you've got another show in your future. [smirks and laughs]

She really is a rude woman. No matter what you think about Blago, he has been found guilty of nothing and they ripped him apart for months for the sake of barry.

I believe without a doubt that Roland Burris bought his senate seat directly from barry. My personal view courtesy of the First Amendment. And he did it in plain view of the FEC, the press, the GOP and the world.

Burris' long time friend and co-worker, the man who whispered in his ear at the impeachment trial, the man who wrote the affidavits before and after Burris' ever changing testimony donated $50K to barry. $50K to barry's inauguration, which was markedly out of character to his previous donations. He had actually donated to Hillary Clinton before he did barry. Go look. His records are right there for all to see, which I went into in a previous post - link below. I wish I knew the exact timeline to compare to the whisper in Harry Reid's ear and the donation of the $50K but the FEC doesn't keep dates (that I could find). But it's right there in plain sight and not a word has been said or question raised.

FACT: the Senate was not going to seat Burris and then barry chatted up Reid and Burris got seated. It was the first time barry did anything personally in his official capacity. Something that is clearly 100% out of character for him. Burris wanted to be seated. barry said seat Burris. Burris was seated. Burris' lawyer gave $50K to barry. Put it together however you like.

Cosmic karma has it's way of arriving at interesting and inopportune moments.

Maybe Sheldon Sorosky is a little more observant than Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt.

And as much as the media stooges love barry and want to discredit anyone non-sympathetic or potentially tarnishing to him - they seem oblivious to the fact that Blago holds the key to barry's future. He knows what barry has done, how much money he's taken and can outline everything barry has done through REZKO and has threatened to tell all in his book. They keep putting the squeeze on his wife and he's going to protect his family barry be damned. That's why the Feds have been working so hard on REZKO. They want to make credible a convicted felon, whose indictment barry was named in and whose $250K dirty donations had to be gotten rid of, so he can rebut whatever Blago might potentially say about barry.

REZKO is the middleman who connects them. BLAGO < - > REZKO < - > BARRY.

And then there's the fact that barry's closest advisors Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett (and ?) and former barry campaign chair Jesse Jackson, Jr were in employed in official capacity when they talked with blago - however innocently - about the senate seat.

It's all as filthy as barry - a man I can no longer tolerate. Save your breath Secret Service. He's not worth doing anything to other than document his lies. The press obviously has no interest or intention of doing so and you have no interest in telling us exactly who is it you are protecting.

================

Blagojevich on Reality TV?
Blago’s only reality show will be his trial
NBC Statement re: no Blago
Official blago statement re: no Costa Rica
Blagojevich to promote ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.’

=================

Blagojevich indicted on 19 counts
DOJ Press release announcing indictment
Blago: Fact sheet
Blago: Indictment
Blagojevich statement
Did Burris buy his senate seat directly from barry?
Blagojevich enters not guilty plea

Rod Blagojevich indicted on 19 counts

April 2, 2009

Not good. Newly-impeached governor Rod Blagojevich, 52, was indicted on 16 charges of political corruption, including fraud, conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion, attempted extortion, false statements and it wouldn’t be Chicago politics without the charge of racketeering.

Also indicted were folks Roland Burris spoke with: Rod’s brother, Rob Blagojevich, 53, and two former Blago chiefs of staff: John Harris, 47, and lobbyist Lon Monk, 50.

Also indicted were folks involved with Tony Rezko’s trial: Blago fundraiser and long time friend, Christopher Kelly, 50, and long time Springfield insider, William Cellini, 74.

Tony Rezko is named but not charged in the indictment and is already known to have cooperated with the Feds - but unknown as to what specifically.

Chris Kelly is cooperating with the Feds - charged only with a single count of wire fraud.

Blagojevich happens to be in Florida at Disneyworld.

Just arriving is the International Olympic Committee.

***

Blagojevich indicted on 19 counts
DOJ Press release announcing indictment
Blago: Fact sheet
Blago: Indictment
Blagojevich statement

Pix of the day: barry and blago

March 28, 2009


(Photo)

BARRY: Do you believe we did it, Hot Rod?

BLAGO: Yeah, I told you to trust me. I'm an effing genius. And I've got great hair. You've got nothing but some gray specks.

BARRY: Who's president, Rod?

BLAGO: Who got you there?

BARRY: True.

BLAGO: Now get your man Rezko not to talk to the Feds any more than he already has. He squeals - I squeal.

BARRY: Keep your mouth shut. I've got Pat Fitzgerald in my back pocket.

BLAGO: And I got Burris in the senate.

BARRY: Sure did. Shut that GD Harry Reid up and paid back your buddy Dick for trashing me early on.

BLAGO: Great wasn't it? The effing media has no effing clue what we pulled off.

BARRY: Showed Dick and Harry who's boss right outta the GD box.

BLAGO: You owe me big time for the beating I took.

BARRY: You know I'm good for it.

BLAGO: No I don't.

BARRY: Chill the hell out. Go to prison - give me a year and you'll get your pardon. So don't be talking trash about me in that book. Just make some shit up like I did.

BLAGO: I took the deal cuz I needed a some cash. Any you want to funnel my way?

BARRY: No can do, Rod. They're watching up tight now that Chief Justice Roberts is looking into my GD birth certificate. I wish your bookie friend would have made a better forgery.

BLAGO: I told you they'd look - but you didn't listen. Not everybody loves us, ya know?

BARRY: Speak for yourself. They love my ass. They don't even listen to the crap I'm saying.

BLAGO: Yeah, you got to get rid of that teleprompter. They're on to you.

BARRY: No can do. I don't know any of that shit they make me talk about. That's why I hired all those idiots who stand behind me. And why in the GD hell are they looking at my Selective Service Registration?

BLAGO: Cuz you only gave them a few documents. You give 'em a load of crap, they never look at it all. Should have been obvious like Burris' lawyer funneling you that $50K. Never even looked twice. You get your cash, Roland gets his job, I get my juror.

BARRY: I got your back.

BLAGO: You better. What'd you think about my radio gig? Handed it right to that MF Quinn. Told my jurors he'd raise taxes and he did. Gave me a effing gift is what he did. And the callers loved me.

BARRY: Sorry, don't have time for that shit. I gotta figure out what I'm supposed to do. What's up with this governing shit? I just like to get out with the people so they can worship me.

BLAGO: Ha-ha. You ain't got a pig's chance - lipstick or no lipstick. Send money our way is all you need to do....

Burris appoints Kenneth Montoya & Jose Riveria

March 27, 2009

Senator Burris continues on despite perjury investigations.

He appointed to positions in his Senate office:

Legislative director: Kenneth Montoya

Director of Chicago office: Jose Rivera

Source: AP

Did Burris buy his senate seat directly from barry?

March 25, 2009

So did Roland Burris went right around Rod Blagojevich right to barry's coffers to get his senate seat? Timothy Wright III is Burris' lawyer and long time friend. They were both employed at Burris Wright Slaughter & Tom and Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan.

Wright has been handling Burris legal woes and of course was in on the senate appointment from the start. He was sitting right next to Burris, whispering in his ear during Burris's testimony at Blagojevich's impeachment committee hearings and he wrote the affidavits.

And, most importantly, Timothy Wright III donated $50,000 directly to barry's inauguration fund.

Yep. $50K right to barry - no middlemen - no hidden conversations caught on tape - no subterfuge - just cold hard cash. It's so obvious it seems no one cares. I've googled and found nothing.

Roland Burris said: Certainly no play to play involved cuz I don't got the money!

That doesn't mean Wright didn't have it - he clearly did - and he clearly donated it. The matter is whether the money was somehow funneled from Burris.

Where did the money originate? Was there any mixing of funds between Burris and Wright prior to the donation? Did the funds derive from any retainer Burris provided? When exactly was the donation given?

Burris admitted he had campaigned for the senate seat as far back as June 2008. Talks intensified after November 1st. He admitted talking with blago's brother and campaign finance man, Rod Blagojevich, as well as Blago's former chief of staff, John Harris, labor leader and player Ed Smith and Lon Monk and Doug Scofield. Who knows if there are more.

Harry Reid spoke with blago. Valerie Jarrett and Rahm Emanuel spoke with barry and blago and were both interviewed by the feds - as was their fearless leader, barry. barry's campaign co-chair, Jesse Jackson Jr was revealed to be senate candidate #5, who is alleged to have offered cash to blago for the senate seat.

The FEC doesn't list the date when the campaign donation was given. It would be interesting to know if it was given before or after barry whispered in Harry Reid's and Dick Durbin's ear, which directly resulted in Roland Burris being seated.

Presidential Inauguration Committee:
Timothy Wright, Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan, Chicago, IL $50,000

Roland Burris
Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP Of Counsel (2007-09)
Burris, Wright, Slaughter & Tom LLC Of Counsel (2002-07)
Manager/CEO of Burris & Lebed Consulting (2002-2009)

Timothy Wright III:
Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan
Burris Wright Slaughter & Tom
Chief of Staff for Congressman Bobby L. Rush

Burris Wright Slaughter & Tom:
Roland W. Burris II (son)
William H. Farley Jr.
Kevin E. Slaughter
Darryl Tom
Timothy W. Wright
Roland W. Burris

Blagojevich: See…I told you so

March 17, 2009

New governor Pat Quinn is set to raise taxes tomorrow…just like impeached governor Rod Blagojevich said he would. Blago’s press release from PR NEWS CHANNEL:

BLAGOJEVICH: This is exactly what I said was going to happen. It is unconscionable that the new governor, Pat Quinn, wants to raise the income tax by 50% especially at a time when people are hurting and the economy is in shambles.

When Pat Quinn and I ran as a ticket we promised the people not to raise their income taxes. For six years I kept that promise. It took him less than six weeks to break it.

John Ruff alleges Burris quid pro quo

March 7, 2009

Could Roland Burris still be lying?

John Ruff thinks so.

According the the Sun Times’ DAVE MCKINNEY, CHRIS FUSCO & NATASHA KORECKI, Ruff, a political consultant and Burris co-plaintiff in his lawsuit against Jesse White, came forward because he wants to apologize for helping Burris get seated. Burris’ longtime lobbying partner and close friend, Fred Lebed, says he doesn’t remember asking for Ruff to be involved and says Ruff is mad he didn’t get a spot in Burris’ Senate office.

LEBED: Ruff asked what he can do for us. John quickly got upset we weren’t using him more. He was very upset we wouldn’t hire him to be communications director and I don’t know why. He was just way too pushy.

Ruff says Lebed told him that Burris’ contact with Blago people went as far back as October.

RUFF: He mentioned that he was talking to people on the governor’s staff — I believe he had mentioned [lobbyist John] Wyma, [chief of staff John] Harris and [former chief of staff Lon] Monk.”

Nobody’s backing him up:

Harris’ lawyer, Terry Ekl, and Wyma’s lawyer, Zach Fardon, said their clients have no recollection of speaking with Lebed about Burris’ Senate hopes. Lawyers for Monk could not be reached for comment.

They went back as far as June 27 by Burris’ own admittance anyway. When did the wiretaps begin? And Burris’ son got his job on Sept 10th.

So updated version:

No one - > No money anyway ->Blagojevich lawyer only -> Lon Monk -> John Wyma + Doug Scofield + John Harris + Ed Smith + Rob Blagojevich - > Rob Blagojevich raise money = Not one penny + Tried couldn’t + Was not considered for the Senate - > “We’ll have to do some things for the governor”

Why is this anything unusual?

Explains Carville, Begala and all the other Clinton people.

Speaking of which, was Eric Holder part of the deal?

Is that why barry finally spoke up?

Nothing is random in barry’s cosmos. Though one would think he would show a little more deference to the one person who could unusurp him.

Anyway, Ruff provided his telephone records detailing calls between him and Lebed from October to February. They have known each other evidently for a few years and work together in the past. They both admit the calls took place and unfortunately for Ruff, Lebed saved a message in which Ruff calls him a MF. Ruff says he was pist because he didn’t want to get mixed up with Burris’ investigations. (As of this date, he still has not been contacted by investigators.)

RUFF: There is more to be discovered. I know the key to finding the information out is through Fred. That’s the main point I wish to get across.

LEBED: I don’t know what John’s problem is.

LEBED: He’s on a witch-hunt. He’s fabricating all of this.

The call in question allgedly took place on Dec 30th, hours before Blago’s press conference naming Burris as barry’s successor.

RUFF: He called me at 9:04 a.m. We talked for 12 minutes. He called to tell me that Gov. Blagojevich was appointing Roland as senator. I congratulated him and asked him how he managed to pull that one off. And that’s when he made some flippant remark about ‘We’ll have to do some things for the governor.’ “

Does this sound plausible?

RUFF: At the time, I just didn’t give that much thought to it because I did not believe they would agree to do any pay-for-play politics for that Senate seat. But then Roland said down in Peoria, ‘I attempted to raise money but was just unsuccessful.’ My thoughts sort of raced back to that moment and realized there was something more nefarious, perhaps, that had been involved here.

Lebed saved a Feb 17th (the day the perjury and Ethics Committee probes were anounced) voicemail from Ruff:.

RUFF: You MFers, now I’m getting investigated. You can all kiss my f***ing ass, Fred. Don’t you f***ers call me back.

RUFF: I probably sounded a bit like Blago there. I just felt like they were putting a lot of people who tried to help them in harm’s way.

Bottom line:

RUFF: I feel I owe people an apology. I started off believing that Sen. Durbin and Sen. Reid were wrong for denying him this seat. But I’ve come to realize most other people were right and I was wrong about this.

LEBED: He is lying through his teeth. He’s playing you guys.

NBC 5

LEBED: I have never told anyone that there was or should be a quid pro quo or anything owed in return to the former governor for the appointment. These statements are libelous and falsely attack my good name and reputation.

Rep Jack Franks (D) - blago shouldn’t profit if convicted

March 4, 2009

Illinois House member Jack Franks (D) McHenry County has filed a bill designed to keep impeached governor Rod Blagojevich from making any money from his book deal should he be convicted. Thing is Blago needs that money to mount a defense to keep him out of prison.

Black Caucus: “We shall remember this”

February 26, 2009

[reposting - Burris posts just disappeared for some reason]

Chicago City Council members believe the calls for Sen Burris to resign are racially motivated. Dick Durbin used the same thing to get barry elected do he shouldn’t be surprised when it continues. Rep Bobby Rush brought that up the same press conference Burris was appointed. He must have known Burris had made some calls.

Ald Carrie Austin: To just muck up somebody's 30-plus year record of loyalty to the Democratic Party — for all of them to turn turn on him — we say it’s time for this to stop. And if it does not, we shall remember this, at the next election.

Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th), city chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, said the “anti-Blagojevich hatred” has unfairly been transferred onto Burris.

I would just suggest to those people who seek to run in the wards of the city of Chicago where there are people of color living that they should tone it down because some of us are taking notes. They will run at their peril.

I can't go to the residents of my ward and ask them to vote for someone who, they feel, has disrespected them. And they won't. Remember, we just don't vote for people. It is in our history in modern times when we voted against people. In fact, it's usually easier to get people to do that.

Identity politics are alive and well and not at all hidden. Why is it ok for blacks but when whiteys do it it's racism? Race relations will ever change until race baiting and racial threats stop and it doesn’t appear that will be happening any time soon. What was good for the president is good for anyone else. Guess that’s what he meant by post racial - no need to mince words.

And Blago is banking on the fact that they shall never forget who appointed Burris.

Gov Quinn: “I think we have to move on”

March 2, 2009

Gov Pat Quinn met with Rep Danny Davis, State Sen Ricky Hendon, Ald Ed Smith, Ald Walter Burnett and other black leaders to discuss Senator Roland Burris in an attempt to “unify” the democratic party. Quinn came out with his mind changed - there will be no push for a special election.

GOV QUINN: [Burris] is not going to to step aside. That’s his decision. I think we need to move on from that. I don’t think there’s anything that anyone can do if he refuses to resign. Now that’s his choice.

He had to move on or he will never get elected. He needed a reality check that his appointment came with an expiration date.

Sen Dick Durbin on Sen Burris (WGN Radio)

March 2, 2009

Sen Dick Durbin talked to the Tribune’s Rick Pearson on WGN 720 about Senator Burris.

chi-090301pearson-durbin-mp3,0,6065247.mp3file

Durbin discusses the process of what happened. Burris had actually called him a week after the election saying that folks were telling him he take barry’s place. Durbin said to him he’s been out of politics for 12 years and that things had changed. He initially thought Burris was talking about 2010 and then it dawned on him that Burris meant via a Blago appointment. He said (3 times) it would be a terrible idea because his enitre politcal and public career would be in the shadow of blago. Durbin told him don’t do it and clearly Burris did it. He talked with Burris again after all this went down and Burris came back and said he wasn’t going to resign.

Not going to resign + can’t legally get rid of him (from present available evidence) = stays in the Senate = more snubbing by barry and barry’s compatriots = barry’s new old Washington politics.

Dick Durbin:

My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush, made strong statements along those (racial) lines. They were painful and hurtful, and it became part of this calculation.

And later:

[Burris'] vote still counts, his signature is still necessary for critical appointments. I will be working with him whenever there’s the need for both Illinois senators to be involved in projects. I’m going to try to work with him as well as I can.