by Frank James
CQ Politics is reporting it has found discrepancies in Sen. Roland Burris's lobbying disclosure forms.
An excerpt from the story by Bart Jansen:
For example, records with the secretary of state show Burris representing the Council of Independent Tobacco Manufacturers of America from 2003 to 2005 and the Illinois Association of Mortgage Brokers in 2007. But those clients don't appear in his filing with the Impeachment Committee.
This is obviously not good news for Burris since it reinforces the prevailing narrative about him right now that he's not been straight with Illinois voters. That's true even if the discrepancies are a result of an innocent oversight.
Here's a lengthier excerpt from the CQ Politics piece:
The names of lobbying clients that Sen. Roland W. Burris declared to a state legislative panel do not match those on records he filed over the last decade with Illinois and Chicago agencies, a CQ analysis of the records has found.
The discovery comes as Burris, an Illinois Democrat, is fending off calls for his resignation for failing to fully explain his dealings with impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him to succeed President Obama. The Senate Ethics Committee also is looking into discrepancies in his statements to the Illinois House Impeachment Committee.
Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin , a fellow Illinois Democrat, suggested that the Ethics Committee should also probe Burris' lobbying activities.
"Every day there are more and more revelations about contacts with Blagojevich advisors, efforts at fundraising and omissions from his list of lobbying clients," Durbin said in a statement from Turkey, where he is on a congressional trip. "These news reports and the public statements by Roland Burris himself are troubling and raise serious questions which need to be looked at very carefully."
Durbin and Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., had balked at seating Burris in January as an appointee of Blagojevich until he testified at a Jan. 8 Impeachment Committee hearing on the former governor demanding fundraising or other favors in exchange for the post. Blagojevich was later removed from office, but maintains his innocence in a criminal investigation.
In a Feb. 5 submission to the committee, Burris listed 26 clients dating to 2003.
But the filing contains discrepancies with documents filed with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office and with the Chicago Board of Ethics. A number of clients are listed only in either the legislative filing or in the agency records.
For example, records with the secretary of state show Burris representing the Council of Independent Tobacco Manufacturers of America from 2003 to 2005 and the Illinois Association of Mortgage Brokers in 2007. But those clients don't appear in his filing with the Impeachment Committee.
Comments
I am shocked, JUST SHOCKED, to discover there's gambling going on here!
Posted by: Jeff | February 19, 2009 3:53 PM
I don't know what Republican clowns (Jeff) on here are crowing about. Both sides of the isle are corrupt in Illinois, in fact the last Republican governor (George Ryan) is still doing hard time in a Fed lockup. In Illinois it just switchs back and forth, whoever is in power at the time ends up getting busted for being corrupt.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 19, 2009 4:06 PM
I don't know what Republican clowns (Jeff) on here are crowing about. Both sides of the isle are corrupt in Illinois, in fact the last Republican governor (George Ryan) is still doing hard time in a Fed lockup. In Illinois it just switchs back and forth, whoever is in power at the time ends up getting busted for being corrupt.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 19, 2009 4:06 PM
Hang 'em high, you good, old constitutionalists !! Ride those bill of rights, out on a rail !! Illinois, the odious Land of Lynchings !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | February 19, 2009 4:14 PM
Ghost Payroll worker and Blago Supporter FITZ,
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Speaking of convicting Blago before the facts were all known, read the following from your hero.
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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/12/10/obama_blagojevich_should_resig.html
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BTW - When are you going to start demanding the Obama "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW"?
Posted by: Terry | February 19, 2009 6:54 PM
You read that trash!! Is it as good as " Dewey Defeats Truman " !! Those newspapers sure can get things right, can't they ? Especially, when they are supporting your anti-constitutional positions. You and thousands of other, non-thinking, programable automatons, that jump, when told to do so !! Let justice take it's course !! What is everyone afraid of, that Senator Burris will succeed to the extent, that he would be elected to the Senate seat, he now holds !!? Where is that true bill, from Howdy-Doody Fitz, after that stunt, in which he arrests a sitting Governor, at his home, in front of his kids and wife !!? It hasn't arrived from the Kremlin, yet !! Oh !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | February 19, 2009 11:30 PM
Hey Blago Supporter,
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These are BO's words (his spokesman)
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"The President-elect agrees with Lt. Gov. Quinn and many others that under the current circumstances it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois," Robert Gibbs, the incoming White House press secretary, said.
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I guess the Anoited One, a constitutional lawyer, is espousing an unconstitutional position? Is that what you are saying FITZ?
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Get some facts straight. He wasn't arrested in fron of huis children. The FBI gave him a courtesy call and 15 minutes to get ready. Unlike how the average citizen would have been treated, the FBI did not barge into his house in front of his children and arrest them.
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As far as I know justice is taking its course. Blago will have his trial and his innocense or guilt will be determined.
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If Kremlin has arrived, it is under the president you voted for.
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The only thing I would like Burris to do, and I know this is a challenge for a democrat, is to tell the truth and only one version of it.
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Get back in your city dump truck, find a viaduct, and go back to sleep.
Posted by: Terry | February 20, 2009 9:14 PM