Feds Grill Burris in Blago Probe

Calls for senator to step down gain strength
By Amelia Atlas,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 22, 2009 4:49 AM CST
Feds Grill Burris in Blago Probe
Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., is follow by members of the media on Capitol Hill in Washington last month after being sworn in on the Senate floor.    (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Federal authorities interviewed Illinois Sen. Roland Burris yesterday as part of the investigation into whether former Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell President Obama's Senate seat, reports the Chicago Tribune. Burris is not a specific target in the Blago case, sources said, but he is being investigated for perjury by the state and the Senate Ethics Committee as more details on his quest for the seat emerge.

Burris, who was appointed senator 3 weeks after Blago was busted on corruption charges, has shown no intention of stepping down, despite calls for his resignation. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has refused to demand his resignation. "Let's put everything in perspective and give him an opportunity to explain himself," said Daley. "Three people were killed" last night, he added. "Do you think the people who killed them care who is their US senator? Life goes on." (More Roland Burris stories.)

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