John Ruff said he helped Sen. Roland Burris get his Senate seat appointment. Now, In an exclusive interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Ruff said he wants to publicly apologize for helping Burris. To show the degree of his involvement with the senator's camp, he produced telephone records showing dozens of calls between October and early February between himself and Lebed, Burris' longtime lobbying partner and close friend.

Also, a Downstate prosecutor investigating possible perjury charges against Burris has asked the U.S. Attorney's office to turn over any tapes it has involving Burris, the Sun-Times reports today.