Blago Asked Burris for $10K in Cash

Rod Blagojevich's camp asked Roland Burris for money before nominating him to take Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Burris revealed the request, for up to $10,000 in campaign contributions, in an affidavit dated Feb. 5—3 weeks after he was sworn in. Burris didn't mention the request during Blagojevich's impeachment hearing because he "was not given the opportunity," he said.

Burris says he talked to Blagojevich’s brother Robert and other top aides but refused to give any money. One source says Burris discussed getting others to raise money for him—an accusation he denies. Illinois pols are scratching their heads over Burris' apparent memory loss at the hearing, which probed an allegation that Blagojevich tried to sell the Senate seat. "I think the whole thing stinks to high heaven," one said. (More Rod Blagojevich stories.)