Press

PRESS

February 17, 2009

CREW Calls on Senate to Expel Burris

Washington, D.C. – Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) had provided sworn statements indicating he had never offered former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich anything in return for being named to the Senate seat vacated by President Obama. Now we learn that Sen. Burris has provided a new affidavit stating that he had several contacts with people close to the governor about raising campaign funds for the governor at the same time he was lobbying for the Senate seat.

CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said, “The evidence suggests Sen. Burris lied under oath when he failed to disclose these contacts earlier. As a result, prosecutors should investigate and see if Sen. Burris can be prosecuted for perjury.” Sloan continued, “Separately, the Senate Select Committee on Ethics should commence its own investigation to determine if Sen. Burris lied to Senate leadership or the Senate Rules Committee when the Senate was considering whether or not to seat him. If so, the ethics committee should recommend that the Senate expel Sen. Burris for improper conduct that reflects upon the Senate.”