Posted on 06/11/2009 5:54:47 PM PDT by callisto
SPRINGFIELD -- A key figure in the perjury investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris died in an automobile accident Monday, authorities in far west-suburban Kendall County confirmed Tuesday.
John Ruff, of Sandwich, Ill., was killed shortly before 3 p.m. when his 2001 BMW convertible crossed an oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a tree while he was driving eastbound on Rogers Road near Oak Brook Road in unincorporated Plano, said Kendall County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Pearson.
John Ruff, a key figure in the perjury investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris was killed in an automobile accident Monday in Kendall County. He was 42-years-old. (Jean Lachat/Sun-Times)
Police have ruled out alcohol as a cause of the crash, but toxicology results won't be known until a coroner's inquest in mid July.
Pearson said there were no witnesses to the crash nor was there evidence of any other vehicles involved. There were no skid marks on the road.
"We have absolutely no idea what caused Mr. Ruff's vehicle to veer off the roadway," Pearson said.
Deputy Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Marcellis told the Sun-Times that Ruff died of blunt head and chest trauma. No autopsy is planned.
Marcellis said that a friend of Ruff’s indicated to her that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, though it was unclear whether that had any bearing on the crash.
“Obviously, one of the effects of a brain tumor is you have seizures. It could have been an issue for him,” she said.
Ruff, 42, was the subject of a March 6 front-page story in the Sun-Times in which he issued an apology for being a co-plaintiff with Burris in a lawsuit seeking to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify Burris’ controversial late-December appointment by impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich.
Ruff, a health-care and political consultant, raised the prospect of a possible quid pro quo between Blagojevich and Burris, recounting a telephone conversation with Burris’ business partner Fred Lebed, who allegedly told Ruff on the date of Burris' appointment, "We'll have to do some things for the governor."
Ruff also said he recalled Lebed telling him he'd had discussions about Burris' interest in the Senate appointment with Blagojevich representatives -- lobbyist John Wyma, now-indicted chief of staff John Harris and former chief of staff Lon Monk -- as early as October.
That information contradicted Burris' claim in a Jan. 5 affidavit in which the senator said neither he nor his representatives spoke with Blagojevich or his representatives before Dec. 26. Lawyers representing Harris and Wyma denied their clients spoke with Lebed about Burris’ interest in the seat.
Lebed accused Ruff at the time of being on a “witch-hunt” and fabricating that story after not being hired for Burris’ senatorial communications staff in Washington, D.C.
But Ruff insisted that the only way to determine whether Burris lied about the circumstances of his appointment when appearing before an Illinois House impeachment panel was for prosecutors in Sangamon County and investigators overseeing a U.S. Senate ethics probe to zero in on Lebed.
"There is more to be discovered," Ruff told the Sun-Times. "I know the key to finding the information out is through Fred. That's the main point I wish to get across.”
Both Ruff and Lebed have been interviewed by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Schmidt as part of his still-ongoing perjury investigation.
Burris’ office declined comment when informed of Ruff’s death.
“John was honest yet irreverent,” said Eileen Wixted, a consultant and longtime friend of Ruff’s. “He believed no one was above the truth, period. The combination of his boldness and his uncanny ability to distill complicated matters is rare and refreshing. John will certainly be missed for his sense of humor and strategic mind.”
Visitation for Ruff, a father of four children, will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at the Corman Funeral Home, 108 Washington St., Avon, Ill. A funeral is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Wonder who decided no autopsy. Doesn’t mention a wife - only 4 children. Maybe his long time friend that wants to live longer, Eileen Wixted?
I believe this is about Senator Burris not Mr. Burgess.
I think Obama said he would send Mr Burgess to do in Hannity.
“Burris’ office declined comment when informed of Ruff’s death.”
Your average person would at least issue a condolence, when inquired, to his family, especially since Burris and Ruff knew each other so well.
Silence speaks volumes.
LOL!
Nosiree bub, I'm sure this was just an accident and we shouldn't look for anything.
Was he wearing a seat belt? Did the air-bag deploy?
Just a couple questions...
Must have just had a heart attack. Cremation?
Any family that’s inquisitive enough to question this “accident”?
Holding my opinion until all evidence is in and car throughly checked out,
He plowed into a tree and "died of blunt head and chest trauma. No autopsy is planned." No seat belt? No airbag deployment? No skid marks? No autopsy? Something ain't right here.Just keep moving along. Nothing to see here.
A key figure in the perjury investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris died in an automobile accident MondayWhat a huge coincidence.
but he would not do it himself I think Hannity could take him in a debate it would be close
A “friend” told the coroner he had “mentioned having a brain tumor.” No verification by family or medical records? No autopsy? Welcome to the Chicago Way, America. We can look forward to more of this in coming years as Chicago thuggery overtakes our nation.
***** No autopsy is planned*****
Next we will find out that the body has already been Cremated (see it’s a whole new world, everything will be transparent)
TT
A poster at the article notes:
“John’s tumor had shrunk by 90% and don’t feel this had anything to do with the accident. He was a single father of 4 kids ages 6, 7, 8, and 17. Boy did he LOVE those kids!! “
How sad for his children!! I haven’t seen any mention of their mother but if he had survived his tumor which shrunk 90%, losing their father this way will be devastating.
During the campaign, Obama was in Ohio, he called on Mr. Burgess who explained to the crowd that O wasn’t a flip flopper but a reassesser. That O will not just lead the Dems but the whole country.
O responded” I’ll put Mr. Burgess up against Sean Hannity, he’ll tear him up”.
Well, as the corrupt NJ attorney said, no witness, no case.
I'm putting my money on the Machine, and I don't mean his car.
Spoken like a thug. Thanks for the info.
Actually, it did. A right-wing Republican cut it down and didn't yell "Timber." Nothing to see here, let's go bash Sarah Palin....< /S >
When did he have lunch? Where did he eat?
No wonder Obama has a food taster. He obviously fears something, could it be because of projection?
I'm not surprised that there would be no autopsy... we don't want to find something incriminating in his stomach or bloodstream.
-PJ
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