CHICAGO — U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris has asked a court to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment to President-elect Barack Obama’s former Senate seat.
An attorney for Burris says paperwork was filed Wednesday with the Illinois Supreme Court.
It’s the start of legal wrangling over the Senate seat. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Burris on Tuesday despite the governor’s arrest on federal corruption charges.
White rejected Blagojevich’s proclamation and says he won’t sign off on appointments by Blagojevich because of the accusations against him. The governor says he’s innocent.
White spokesman Dave Druker said the state agency had not reviewed the court filing but believes it is acting within its authority.
Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, asked a judge for another three months to indict Blagojevich, saying they have “thousands” of intercepted phone calls and “multiple” people to assess. A 90-day extension would give prosecutors until April 7.
Burris said he planned to show up in Washington when new members are sworn in Tuesday and ask to be seated as the Senate’s lone African-American.
He said he would not cause a scene if he’s turned away, as Democratic leaders have promised to do.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on charges that he tried to sell Obama’s seat for money or a high-paying job and other allegations.
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