Report Raises Questions About Burris' Relationship With Blagojevich

Roland Burris has denied having any relationship with disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but a close examination of his record raises new questions about his claim.

MyFOXChicago.com reports that Burris -- the former Illinois attorney general who has been appointed by Blagojevich to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat --  held a 2006 fundraiser for the governor at his home.

Burris and his lobbying firm also donated $22,295 to Blagojevich's campaign, according to MyFOXChicago.com.

Over the past four years, Burris' lobbying firm reportedly won $705,435 in state contracts.

And Burris' longtime lobbying partner Fred Lebed is a board member of the Christian Industrial League -- the same group that hired Blagojevich's wife Patricia.

Lebed has denied having any involvement in the hiring of the governor's wife.

"I first learned about her after her appointment -- her being on contract I think a day or two after she was hired," Lebed told MyFOXChicago.com.

"There's absolutely, unequivocally, no conflict of interest whatsoever," he said.

Senate Democratic leaders have been loath to accept any nominee sent by Blagojevich, who has been accused of trying to sell Obama's vacant seat.

Burris' paperwork was rejected at the opening of the 111th Congress on Tuesday, but the Associated Press reported Wednesday that he eventually will be accepted by the Senate.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein endorsed Burris' appointment on Tuesday, saying Burris has wide-ranging experience and blocking him would impact appointments made by other governors.

Burris' attorney Willis Ritter told FOX News that Feinstein's backing is " a major breakthrough."

Click here to view the full report from MyFOXChicago.com.