Ethics committee rebukes appointed Illinois senator

Updated: November 20, 2009 - 8:46 PM

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WASHINGTON - 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.

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, where Burris linked his willingness to raise funds for the governor with his desire for appointment to the Senate.

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 letter said that Burris provided "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete information" to the public, the Senate and investigators.

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

Burris, who has been shunned by his Senate colleagues and is not seeking the seat next year, commented, "I am pleased that after numerous investigations, this matter has finally come to a close. I thank the members of the Senate ethics committee for their fair and thorough review."

ASSOCIATED PRESS