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.