Ex-U.S. Senator Roland Burris accused of shake down

Ex-U.S. Senator Roland Burris (D, IL) has been exposed and accused of attempting to influence lifting certain sanctions against individuals in Zimbabwe to help a business man get military contracts. It seems Burris wanted a high salary job after he was to leave the Senate a few years ago.

This apparently happened while Burris was in fact a Senator, and he himself hasn't been charged with anything (yet).

The information has come in connection with a trial of somebody else probably connected with the whole thing.

Burris was appointed to the U.S. Senate by former Illinois Governor (currently in prison himself) Rod Blagojevich to fill Obama's empty seat.

The usual Chicago politics and corruption is in play and it's complicated as everybody involved is dodging and weaving.

Funny how things get exposed.

Former U.S. Sen. Roland Burris tried to “shake down” a business for a $250,000 a year job as a financial consultant in return for Burris’ help promoting the business’ products to the U.S. military, court documents in a trial due to start next week allege.

The explosive allegations emerged Friday at a hearing ahead of the trial of South Sider C. Gregory Turner, who is accused of illegally trying to help lift U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

Burris is expected to be a key prosecution witness against Turner. But Turner’s lawyers say the fact that the feds never charged the former Democratic senator in connection with the alleged shakedown scheme means Burris is “biased” in their favor.

Ex-Sen. Roland Burris accused of shake down in court documents

Yo, and here I thought they were going to 'drain the swamp' on capitol shill.

Just goes to show the snip runs deep there.

Burris is expected to be a key prosecution witness against Turner.

Translation: He will receive immunity. I would bet his lawyers are, at this very minute, negotiating for his testimony in exchange for no charges being filed or them being dismissed.

There must be some AWFUL PEOPLE in Chicago.

a reply to: cavtrooper7

For Illinois, it's just business as usual.

originally posted by: DAVID64
a reply to: cavtrooper7

For Illinois, it's just business as usual.

For politicians, it's just business as usual.

I am convinced that the vast majority of politicians engage in such behavior. I mean the entire lobbying system does nothing but encourage this. Private interests are represented in the government more than public interests, and what it comes down to is who has the most money. Whoever has the most money is the one who will win out and influence things to their advantage.