Senator Conrad Burns of Montana link to Montana State University "Burns Technology Center" scrutinized

A Washington, D.C., newspaper is raising questions about whether former staffers for Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., have used their links to the senator and a Montana State University technology center http://btc.montana.edu/index.htm to make money.

Nine former Burns aides — including former chief of staff Will Brooke of Bozeman — have secured more than $20 million in lobbying fees for themselves using corporate connections they made during their time in the senator’s office, the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reported Wednesday.

A "key node" in the network of connections has been MSU’s Burns Technology Center. Its advisory board includes representatives from several large telecommunications companies.

BTC also has received millions of dollars in donations from individuals and corporations.

By WALT WILLIAMS, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2006/03/09/breakingnews/10burns.txt

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