Democratic Sen. Roland W. Burris denied again Wednesday that his taped phone conversation with former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich ’s brother was an attempt to curry favor or buy his Senate appointment.

“I was not a willing party to any alleged ‘pay-to-play’ scheme, and I did not lie to anyone about the events leading to my appointment,” said Burris, appointed earlier this year to the Senate seat vacated by President Obama.

The Senate Ethics Committee and a local prosecutor in Illinois are investigating inconsistencies in Burris’ sworn statements about his contacts with those close to Blagojevich, who was later impeached and removed from office.

“Did I try to buy the seat? Never,” Burris told reporters in Illinois. “While I wanted to keep my commitment to making personal contributions, I did not because of the perception of impropriety that might arise.”

In January testimony before a state House Impeachment Committee that U.S. Senate leaders required before Burris could be seated, he denied raising money for Blagojevich and played down his contacts with those close to the governor. But the conversation secretly taped by FBI agents Nov. 13 between Burris and the governor’s brother, Rob, revealed Burris repeatedly expressing interest in the seat and offering to contribute personally to the then-governor’s campaign by Dec 15.

Burris didn’t follow through, however, and Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 in a broad investigation about his alleged use of the governor’s office for personal gain. Blagojevich is awaiting trial on those charges.

The Ethics Committee is reviewing Burris’ case to determine whether he misrepresented how he won the appointment. The panel requested the tape as part of its preliminary inquiry, which is akin to a grand jury investigation, and Burris supported the release of the tape.

A local prosecutor, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Schmidt, is also reviewing the case for possible charges such as perjury before the state House committee.

“I expect the media and the public to review every word of the transcript in context,” Burris said Wednesday. “At the end of the day, I expect both to judge me fairly and acknowledge I did not curry favor.”

Senate Democratic leaders initially refused to seat Burris, declaring that any appointment by Blagojevich was tainted. They relented only after his assurances under oath that he had not attempted to buy the seat through favors or contributions.

Political Target

Burris has not said whether he intends to seek election to the seat next year, but Illinois politicians of both parties are lining up to take him on if he does — and to seek the open seat if he steps down.

Chris Kennedy, a son of the late attorney general and New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass., appears likely to enter the Democratic primary field this week.