CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Roland Burris of Illinois is reacting today to phone transcripts that, some say, implicate him in a “pay-to-play” scheme to get the senate seat. Burris took time before his departure for a two-day tour of central Illinois to talk to reporters outside his Chicago home. He insists that the transcripts only serve to clear his name in any wrong-doing related to his senator post.
Yesterday, a judge allowed the release of the November 13th phone conversation between Burris and then-Governor Rod Blagojevich’s brother, Robert Blagojevich, who served as campaign manager. The call was secretly wire-tapped by FBI agents. The call took place about three weeks before Rod Blagojevich’s arrest on charges he attempted to sell or trade the senate seat left open by President Barack Obama.
Both Blagojevichs, and four other members of the former governor’s close circle, have plead not guilty in the case.