Senate Secretary Rejects Burris Appointment; More on Blago Scandal

The first shot of the week has been fired in the Senate drama over Roland Burris' Senate appointment.

The Senate secretary today rejected Burris' nomination certificate after it was hand delivered by Rod Blagojevich's acting chief of staff this morning.

From The Chicago Sun-Times:

"The secretary of the senate and two assistants acknowledged receipt of the document 'but did not formally accept it' because it did not bear Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's signature, [Blagojevich spokesman Lucio] Guerrero said."

White has made good on his promise to refuse to sign the certificate, arguing -like many others - that Blago had no place filling the vacant Senate seat after he was charged with trying to sell the seat. The governor and Burris are hoping the Illinois Supreme Court will force White to sign the document.

A federal judge also today granted prosecutors a 90-day extension to indict Blagojevich and his former Chief of Staff John Harris. That means prosecutors have until April 7 to indict the case.

Althou Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hasas left the door open just a bit for Burris to possibly be considered by the Senate, it seems he's pretty much going to demand to be sworn in. His lawyer, Timothy Wright, told The Hill that a federal lawsuit is likely if Reid prevents Burris from being sworn in on Tuesday, and that the former attorney general plans to attempt to be seated either with or without Senate-approved credentials.

"The plan for Tuesday is to do what every other senator does, to come to the Senate with our credentials and seek the same treatment as everyone else," Wright said. "The law is clear. This is in no doubt, no question."Meanwhile, the feds want to have a chat with Blago's brother, Robert, who chairs the governor's campaign fund, Friends of Blagojevich.

The Sun-Times reports that law enforcement authorities want to talk to Robert Blagojevich about the governor and about "other aspects of the investigation." But this Blagojevich - referred to as "Fundraiser A" in the criminal complaint against his bro and who can be heard on more than 30 federal wiretapped conversations - says no way.

"Would he cooperate and talk to the government? Not a prayer," Robert Blagojevich's lawyer, Michael Ettinger, told the newspaper. Defense lawyers expect the Friends of Blagojevich fund to be indicted as part of the investigation. Prosecutors have moved to freeze the campaign money but may allow some defense lawyers to tap it for retainers, sources told the Sun-Times.

Lt. Gov Pat Quinn, who would become governor if and once Blago is impeached, is fed up with the corruption.

He told WLS radio Monday morning that his state has become an "international laughing stock" and he wants to form a panel to find ways to clean up corruption. Quinn has appointed former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins - who sent former Gov. George Ryan to prison for corruption - to head the panel.

Quinn says Illinois residents are demanding clean government, and he says "they are going to get it."