Burris and Blagojevich: Yes, There is Appearance of Possible Pay-to-Play

Why is no one paying attention to the money ties between Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris, who will soon become the junior U.S. Senator from Illinois?

I blogged on Monday about the fact that Burris's lobbying partner, Fred Lebed, sits on the board of the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL). CCIL gave Patti Blagojevich an $80,000-a-year job as its development director--despite no apparent experience--at around the time the feds started looking into her real estate business activities. Lebed served on Blago's transition team.

To my surprise, the blog did not attract much attention until last night, when it came up on CNN's "AC360" in a report by Drew Griffin. Cooper also featured it on his blog.

Here's the transcript from much of that report:

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Republicans in Springfield want Burris to explain how he got the appointment from Illinois' tainted governor. Records are beginning to reveal state contracts, political contributions and even the job for the governor's wife that at least raised questions by Republicans that Burris may have paid to play.

JIM DURKIN (R), ILLINOIS STATE ASSEMBLYMAN: But I want Mr. Burris to, under oath, talk about that, about exactly when his interest in this seat, when he became interested in the seat, how back it went, who did he talk to and exactly the communications that went back and forth between him and the governor and any type of documentations which he may have given to the governor.

GRIFFIN: The governor stands accused but not indicted in an investigation focused on the use of public office for personal gain, including alleged trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President- elect Obama.

Illinois Republicans want to know if Burris was paying to play. Their possible evidence? State records show Roland Burris and his lobbying firm contributed more than $20,000 to Governor Blagojevich's political campaigns.

Two years ago, Roland Burris hosted a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser for the governor. Burris' consulting firm won nearly $300,000 in state contracts over the last four years. And, just this September, the governor's wife, Patti Blagojevich, was hired in an $80,000-a-year job with the Chicago Christian Industrial League, where Burris' lobbying partner is a board member.

Today, in a press conference, Burris said his selection had nothing to do with money or a pay-to-play scheme.

ROLAND BURRIS, FORMER ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Certainly no pay to play involved, because I don't have no money.

This morning I was listening to Don Wade and Roma on WLS-AM Chicago. They were talking to Illinois Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), who sits on the House impeachment committee. Franks said there is nothing in Burris's background to suggest pay to play. That's simply not true.

When the impeachment panel questions the man who may be Illinois' next U.S. Senator and who will certainly run again in 2010--and might do better than expected given the voters' short attention span--Burris must be questioned closely on the contributions and favors that changed hands between him and the governor and between the lobbying firm, Burris & Lebed Consulting, LLC. and the state of Illinois.

Comments

[Thefamilyvan]

Sorry, but I've got to agree with CitizenMike that WLS is quite the conservative outlet in Chicago radio. Wade and Roma are the ones you listen to when you want to hear the extreme Republican spin on the news. A more middle of the road choice would be WGN Radio....

[BobLV]

A governor trying to win
Sold a senate seat for a skin
To try to embarrass
His Party with Burris
A ploy that he thought was no sin.

[citizenmike]

"This morning I was listening to Don Wade and Roma on WLS-AM Chicago."

Wow. So you are a died-in-the-wool Repug? Considering Your taste of AM in the AM, I'm not surprised you are looking under rocks for anything and everything. Those guys are just toadies for the Republican talking points.

[Carol Felsenthal - Huffpost Blogger]

while making coffee in the morning and breakfast for my son and my dog, I often switch among WLS and NPR's "Morning Edition" and Bil Press on Air America. I'm a junkie for the news, especially first thing in the morning.

citizenmike might try to be a little more open minded.

[mjb5406]

OMG... NPR? Next you'll tell us that you listen to "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" :-)

[citizenmike]

Yes Carol, I have tried WLS AM. As well as WBBM, Air America, NPR & WIND. I jump around the dial while driving to work in the morning. Several times I've listened to WLS & WIND to get their slant on things. But, I don't listen that often because of the inflammatory things they say. I do realize that they are not news. WLS-AM & WIND is propaganda for the right as Air America is for the left. The news is NPR and WBBM. So Carol, yes, I do try to be open minded and informed. I just don't feel everything is a conspiracy as you do. So you get off that high horse anytime now Missy.

And mjb5406, I also listen to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" while driving my kids around in the car. It is funny at times.

[Figerre]

is Burris on ANY of the wiretaps? Didn't those start 5 mo ago? which would include the $80k job for Mrs Blago

[Carol Felsenthal - Huffpost Blogger]

The feds tapped monk's cell phone, so who knows. Also Burris was not sure when he called Monk--I believe he said either july '08 or sept. '08.

Maybe Harry Reid and company should wait to hear recordings or see TSS of Monk's intercepted conversations before rushing to seat Burris.

[BGM1906]

How could you possible say that Harry Reid is rushing to do anything regarding Burris???

[Thefamilyvan]

There's no wrongdoing in Burris' background.... people need to just get over it. Impeach the governor, seat Burris and get on with Illinois government for the good of the people. No one will be happy with any Senatorial pick until the election 2 years from now. So just deal with it.....

[murphy80]

helping Harry Reid to make a fool out of himself.

Roland Burris is about a clean as they come in Illinois.

Suddenly you expect people in politics to not know each other.

This is becoming a witch hunt now.

[Carol Felsenthal - Huffpost Blogger]

murphy80: I take your point but we're not just talking about any governor and any senate seat. Blago is charged with attempting to sell that seat.

The most interesting news story of yesterday/today is burris's admitting to have called Alonzo ("Lon") Monk ("Lobbyist 1 in Fitzgerald's criminal complaint against blago, whose cell phone was tapped) to get some lobbying business. Even if Monk was not on the state payroll at the time, he is extremely close to Blago and certainly had his ear.
--Blago's roommate at Pepperdine law school in Malibu, CA
--groomsman at blago's wedding
--former chief of staff
--marathon running pal
--office next to blago's in Thompson Ctr
--legal counsel when blago was congressman
--ran his gubernatorial campaign in '02 and his reelection campaign in '06
--those closest to Blago when he took office, including his estraged father in law--dick mell, told me when I was writing about blago in 2003 that Monk was closest to him
--read that profile of blago at http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/November-2003/Governor-Sunshine/

More to come; i think i'll post something on Monk once i can dig up the transcript of my taped, face to face interview with him in his office at the Thompson center on 7/21/03

[BGM1906]

I would think that if Fitzgerald had anything of Burris, he would have said so...wasn't his rationale for arresting Blago prematurely was that he didn't want to sit idely by while Blago corrupted the Senate. I agree with another post earlier...this is becoming a witch hunt. Blago is the criminal...and as far as I can see Burris is not. Now if Fitzgerald suddenly said, I have Burris on tape talking to Blago and its def a pay to play situation then I'm all ears, other than that, lets move on!

[mjb5406]

I am always suspect when answers to the same question asked hours later are different... as if he didn't understand what was meant when first asked "Did you have any contact AT ALL wjth Governor Blagojevich or anyone connected to him?" Doh.

[standard]

I'm shocked--shocked to learn that politicking goes on in Springfield.

That's the worst dirt on Burris? Just let them fill the damn Senate seat, stat! Burris will do for now.

If he screws up, YOU run for the seat. Nay-saying now doesn't improve the economy, end the Iraq war, advance public education or lay the groundwork for Barack's re-election. Having 58 reliable votes in the Senate (and that less-reliable 59th vote from Connecticut) can.

Good, timely reporting, all the same. Thank you for that!

[schatsie]

Again, is this all they can dig up...Why was NOBODY concerned about Cheneys 500,000 stock options in Halliburton that went from a value of 1 million to 40 million....Oh that is right it was in a BLIND TRUST and no Halliburton did not win any NO bid contracts, they were GIVEN to them,,, and I believe in the tooth fairy...and Rumsfeld with his investment in vaccinations and the award of the military contract to the company,,, WE ARE TALKING BIG MONEY when it comes to REpugs...

[jcwtts1]

Until Blago was a "criminal" doing business with the Gov was legit. Of course you employ the wife of the Gov, she is the wife of the Gov. There is no quid pro quo in that hire it is smart business. If you hire the son of the Gov or the wife of the Gov, or the father in law of the Gov it is business. Now maybe I misread this, but Burris didn't hire anyone right?

Also, he is the man who may be the next senator of Illinois, he is the senator for Illinois.

J

[AnnfromCA]

Obama also supported Blago. If there's some nefarious connection, then Obama is also indicted.

[patwal]

And Hillary supported Obama after the primaries. If there's some nefarious connection there, then Hillary is also indicted.

Nothing like specious logic,eh?

[ReesieKitty]

If you follow this address, there's an interesting interview with Patty Blagojevich from Chicago Parent magazine. It took place just before everything blew up in the Blagojevich's faces.

http://www.chicagoparent.com/article.asp?aID=923974604.1054193.13429.3025585.3658651.649&aID2=1024

[Lisette]

* Father of Lisa Madigan
In 2002, Madigan helped his daughter Lisa garner more campaign contributions
in her run for Illinois
Attorney General than even the candidates for governor that year.
At one point, Lisa Madigan's $1.2 million raised was more than
all the attorney general candidates in 1998 had raised, combined.

During the campaign, allegations of misconduct in campaign contributions arose-- Madigan was accused of using taxpayer dollars for political purposes.[1] Republican gubernatorial candidate, Jim Ryan, suggested that Madigan should resign.[
1] Madigan's daughter Lisa was running for state Attorney General during that year's election and called the allegations baseless.[1] Lisa Madigan's opponent in the race called on her to pay back taxpayer-paid bonuses her father had paid staffers
before they departed to work on his daughter's campaign.[15] A federal investigation into one of Lisa Madigan's political endorsements ensued after Madigan allegedly contacted a union boss in Chicago shortly before the union endorsed Madigan's daughter for the post, but nothing came out of it.
.

[Jeff Norman - Huffpost Blogger]

If Carol Felsenthal believes the occurrences she mentioned are atypical of politicians, she should have said so. In other words, she should have explained exactly what constitutes malfeasance versus business as usual. In the absence of such an argument, there appears to be no relevance to her post, just as it is of no importance that she wants “a special election.” Likewise, my desires don’t matter. What matters is the law. Unless there’s a legal way to move forward that could result in a special election, I have to wonder why Carol has chosen to share her dream with us. Lynn Voedisch’s reference to Burris’s support of the death penalty is similarly irrelevant. If nobody had yet been appointed, and Burris were under consideration, it would be helpful to consider what his positions are. But in the context of judging the lawfulness of the appointment, the information is completely extraneous.

[Lynn Voedisch - Huffpost Blogger]

I believe it shows the type of judgment Burris would show as a U.S. Senator. I don't see why we shouldn't be considering what sort of man Burris is, as there still is some question about his appointment. He could end up hung up in the Rules committee until Quinn takes over. And Quinn could rescind Blago's appointment and appoint someone else. At this point, anything could happen. I'm not the only one looking at Burris' past and his stances on issues. The Chicago papers are full such stories. So, how irrelevant is it?

[easarsfield]

I agree Lynn. The way the Cruz case was handled by Burris is appalling. To me, it is one of many examples demonstrating a disturbing pattern of narcissism. One can argue that this is a typical politician personality flaw, but I disagree. This is not someone who is likely to accurately represent the state of IL, especially if it contradicts with what would personally be in his best interests.

I hope Burris remains held up, and that once Blago is impeached, Quinn rescinds his appointment immediately. I am not in favor of a special election, but I do believe that Quinn would be able to make an effective, cloud-free appointment that will not have warranted grounds for a senate investigation. Illinois deserves immediate representation in the senate, but not from the likes of Roland Burris.

[vinny]

The problem with your argument is that Danny Davis was offered the appointment first, so you will need to make something up to account for that fact.

[MaryanneAZ]

Everyone is trying to take routine campaign contributions between elected people as some sort of nefarious pay to play nonsense. Everyone knows that all politicians donate to each other's candidacy as a kind of PC routine. When HRC backed Obama, she and Bill both gave the max to his campaign. It's just the way things are done. There is nothing unusual or lack of propriety in Burris' past associations with fellow elected people in his own party. For pity's sake, move on. Nothing to see here.

[SpencerCat]

"Certainly no pay to play involved, because I don't have no money."

Jeez, did he really say that? Great, a Senator who can't speak correctly.
And if he's short for money, maybe he can sell that huge marble mausoleum he erected for himself.

[BGM1906]

Please don't take him using his sense of humor as him not being able to conjugate a verb...lighten up a little bit ok?

[illinoisan]

I assumed it was a clever lawyer trick to avoid perjuring himself. He essentially said that he did have some money.