WSIU: No Evidence Of Perjury By Burris (2009-06-19)

A prosecutor in central Illinois says there isn't enough evidence to charge U.S. Senator Roland Burris with perjury for statements he made before an Illinois House impeachment committee.

Sangamon County state's attorney John Schmidt said Friday that, while some of Burris' statements were vague, they wouldn't support a perjury charge.

Burris says he's pleased with the conclusion of Schmidt's investigation. The Illinois Democrat says the investigation was both thorough and fair, and he's glad that the truth has prevailed.

Burris also says the lack of perjury charges shows that he never engaged in any pay-to-play, never perjured himself and came to his Senate seat ``in an honest and legal way.''

Burris was appointed to President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat by former Governor Rod Blagojevich after the FBI arrested Blagojevich on corruption charges. Those charges include allegations that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat for political donations.

In January, Burris was called before a House committee investigating Blagojevich. Burris initially said he had no contact with Blagojevich or his supporters. Later, he changed his statement, saying he had talked to several aides and had discussed hosting a fundraiser for the governor.