Feds Question Burris In Blagojevich Case

Burris has denied engaging in wrongdoing.

Federal authorities have interviewed U.S. Senator Roland Burris in a probe into whether former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich tried to sell the Senate seat Burris now occupies, the Chicago Tribune, reported on Sunday.

Burris has been told he is not a target of the investigation, the Tribune quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying. The interview took place on Saturday and lasted several hours.

Blagojevich, was impeached and ousted by the Illinois Legislature in part because of charges that he tried to sell the seat formerly occupied by President Barack Obama.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, defied members of his own party, including Obama, to appoint Burris to fill the remainder of Obama's Senate term, ending in 2010.

Burris has denied engaging in wrongdoing.

But inconsistencies have emerged in Burris' testimony, affidavits and public comments about the extent of his contacts with Blagojevich's staff prior to his appointment. A local prosecutor is exploring perjury charges, and the Senate ethics committee has begun an investigation.

On Friday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, also a Democrat, called for Burris to resign because of the controversy.