CHICAGO (AP) — A judge in Chicago has approved the release to a Senate committee of a federal wiretap of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother speaking by phone with Democrat Roland Burris.
The conversation took place before the impeached Illinois governor named Burris to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama.
U.S. District Chief Judge James Holderman approved the release of the tape Tuesday at the request of the U.S. Senate's Ethics Committee.
Burris told the Blagojevich impeachment committee that he didn't promise Blagojevich anything in return for the seat.
Rod Blagojevich faces charges accusing him of trying to profit from appointing someone to the Senate seat. Robert Blagojevich was indicted along with his brother.
Both deny wrongdoing.
