Tulsa World: Burris receives admonishment, no punishment

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Burris receives admonishment, no punishment
A committee says he was misleading about his actions to get his Senate seat.

PUBLICLY ADMONISHED
Sen. Roland Burris: The Illinois senator was appointed by disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The Senate ethics committee's admonishment placed special emphasis on a phone conversation between Burris and the governor's brother, where Burris linked his willingness to raise funds for the governor with his desire for the Senate seat.

By AP Wire Services
Published: 11/21/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 11/21/2009 5:50 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

Burris was appointed by disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and driven from office after he was accused of trying to sell the seat.

The committee placed special emphasis on a phone conversation between Burris and the governor's brother, Robert Blagojevich, in which Burris linked his willingness to raise funds for the governor with his desire for appointment to the Senate.

While finding no violation of law, the committee's "Public Letter of Qualified Admonition" told Burris that "senators must meet a much higher standard of conduct" than he exhibited with his constantly changing statements.

The ethics committee has often been criticized for failing to go beyond letters of admonition after finding a senator's conduct discredited the institution.

The letter had tough wording, telling Burris that he provided "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete information" to the public, the Senate and investigators and that his conduct "reflected unfavorably on the Senate."

Senate Democratic leaders, however, expressed no desire to hand out further punishment.

Jim Manley, spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid, said, "The ethics committee handled its independent investigation, and its letter of qualified admonition speaks for itself."

Burris commented, "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."

Weakened and facing multiple primary challengers next spring, Burris has decided not to fight for a full Senate term next year. Most fellow Democrats shun him. Meanwhile, the former governor is scheduled to go to trial in June. By AP Wire Services

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	Report Comment papajohn, henryetta (11/21/2009 7:26:39 AM) vote with us, we will take care of you, as per big O
	Report Comment Charley, (11/21/2009 12:12:09 PM) The letter had tough wording, telling Burris that he provided "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete information" to the public, the Senate and investigators and that his conduct "reflected unfavorably on the Senate." So what else is NEW. We get that kind of rhetoric, all the time.
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, Kanagawa, Japan (11/22/2009 2:15:35 AM) 60 votes is 60 votes. They can oust him later, when they're done using him.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/22/2009 2:24:39 AM) Pot calling kettle black. I doubt if the ethics committee knows what the word means let alone have them.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/22/2009 2:27:43 AM) Sounds like a true politician to me.

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