Burns denies any link to Abramoff scandal

[Ian David]

Burns denies any link to Abramoff scandal

By JIM GRANSBERY
Of The Gazette Staff

U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Wednesday, "I have done nothing wrong" in connection with the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

Asked whether he could say the same for former staff members, Burns said, "I cannot," but emphasized that his employees are required to adhere to a code of ethics.

"If they violate it, they're gone," he said. "It's just that simple."

<snip>

He reiterated that his office has not been contacted by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning any investigation of himself, staffers or Abramoff, who recently pleaded guilty to bribery, fraud and tax evasion and is cooperating with a federal probe of congressmen who may have taken his bribes.

<snip>

In a front page article on Nov. 25, The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources, reported that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, Burns and two other Republican representatives were under investigation by the Justice Department in connection with Abramoff and his lobbying activities. A subsequent article in The Washington Post reported the same. The Justice Department does not comment on any investigation.

More:
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&tts=1&display=rednews/2006/01/12/build/state/25-burns_x.inc

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Why did "I am not a crook" pop into my mind?

Will Burns choose one of his staffers to take the fall?

[napi21]

2. They all say things like this UNTIL they get caught!

I seem to remember Cummingham saying that same stuff, just before his "I'm sorry speech!"

[Botany]

3. so when does he quit to spend more time w/ his family?

:rofl:

[AtomicKitten]

4. yeah, well, better practice not picking up soap in the shower just in case