But you can relax, Herr Krause.

The most honorable Burris won't be charged with perjury.

Burris won't face perjury charge
Senator gave 'vague answers' about Blagojevich appointment

By John Chase and Dan Blake | Tribune reporters
June 20, 2009

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris provided incomplete and vague answers to state
lawmakers investigating his controversial appointment by ex- Gov. Rod
Blagojevich, but there is "insufficient evidence" to charge him with
perjury, a county prosecutor said Friday.

Burris said the decision vindicated him of accusations he didn't give
lawmakers the whole story about how he got the Senate seat.
Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell the seat a month earlier.

But the political fallout for Illinois' junior senator remains.

Burris faces a Democratic primary challenge next year if he decides to
seek election to the seat, and a Senate ethics panel in Washington is
still reviewing the multiple explanations he has offered about his
contacts with Blagojevich confidants.

Returning to Chicago on Friday, Burris declined to answer questions
after reading a prepared statement at O'Hare International Airport
proclaiming the perjury investigation "thorough and fair, and I am
glad that the truth has prevailed."

"I have never engaged in any pay-to-play, never perjured myself, and
came to this seat in an honest and legal way," he said.

In closing the investigation, Sangamon County State's Atty. John
Schmidt, a Republican, stopped short of providing the full exoneration
that Burris proclaimed. The prosecutor said Burris provided truthful
answers about contacts with Blagojevich insiders but "did not mention"
others.

"Some of the answers are vague," Schmidt said, "but there is
insufficient evidence he knowingly made a statement that he knew to be
false."

While not criticizing lawmakers, Schmidt said they did not "pin"
Burris down.

Schmidt's investigation was launched after Burris in February revealed
he had discussions with Blagojevich associates that weren't disclosed
in his testimony to the House impeachment panel. Blagojevich, who was
arrested Dec. 9 on corruption charges, was ousted from office in
January.

Burris initially gave the panel an affidavit stating he had no contact
with anyone connected to Blagojevich "regarding my appointment." A few
days later, he testified he had spoken to Blagojevich's former chief
of staff-turned lobbyist Lon Monk about his interest in the seat and
lobbying business.

In a subsequent affidavit, Burris revealed he discussed the Senate
seat with several aides as well as Blagojevich's brother, Robert, head
of the governor's campaign fund.

Burris said during one of the calls with the governor's brother he
refused to help raise money because "it could be viewed as an attempt
to curry favor with him regarding his decision to appoint a successor
to President [Barack] Obama." But Burris later admitted he asked about
the Senate seat while also talking about raising money for the
governor.

That Nov. 13 conversation was recorded on a federal wiretap during the
Blagojevich investigation and its public release last month fueled new
controversy. While Burris said it bolstered his story, it also showed
he discussed donating in his attorney's name to avoid scrutiny.

Schmidt's opinion focused on Burris' testimony.

The prosecutor said when state Rep. James Durkin (R- Western Springs)
questioned Burris about whether he spoke to anybody on the governor's
staff or closely related to the governor, Burris didn't commit perjury
when he mentioned only Monk's name.

"The fact he did not mention others does not make the statement
[perjury]," Schmidt said.

Durkin maintained Burris lied under oath. "I feel comfortable with my
line of questioning. He had opportunity to answer and he didn't,"
Durkin said. "Sen. Burris may have made it to the Senate but he won't
regain his reputation with this decision. He owed the people more."

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