Burris' words to be examined

SPRINGFIELD - Exactly how Roland Burris became a U.S. senator continues to attract official scrutiny - including a perjury investigation downstate and a probe by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics. Speaking to reporters in Peoria, Burris said he welcomes an investigation by the Senate's ethics committee, but late Tuesday it remained unclear how the committee will proceed. U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat and committee chairman, declined to comment. But Boxer's spokeswoman, Natalie Ravitz, said, "Whenever allegations of improper conduct are brought to the attention of the Senate Ethics Committee, we open a preliminary inquiry." The flurry of activity follows Burris' acknowledgment that he had several conversations with top Rod Blagojevich aides about the post and even considered raising money for the embattled former governor before being picked. Burris' recent comments contradict his previous testimony and sworn statements to a House impeachment panel, leading suburban lawmakers to join the growing chorus of those calling for Burris to quit before the state and its residents suffer any more political embarrassment.