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 CHICAGO---Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, once nominated for the Nobel Peace Price for commuting death sentences of over 160 inmates in Illinois prisons, has been convicted by a federal grand jury of 22 counts of fraud and racketeering charges.
The guilty verdict came on the 10th day of jury deliberation. Ryan of Kankakee was found guilty of taking cash, gifts and trips in exchange for state contracts.
Ryan, 72, a Republican was part of wide-sweeping corruption probe which ended his political career in 2003 and resulted in charges against 79 state workers and lobbyists. Ryan’s co-defendant, Larry Warner, 67, Ryan’s close friend and lobbyist, was convicted of all 12 counts in the indictment against him. Sentencing for both is set for Aug. 4.
There have been convictions of 75 of those arrested. Two defendants are fugitives, one case is still pending and one case was dismissed.
Ryan faces up to 95 years in prison and $4.5 million in fines. He was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, false statements, obstructing the Internal Revenue Service and lying to the FBI.
"I believe this decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service that I provided to the people of Illinois over 40 years, and needless to say I am disappointed in the outcome," the former governor said. He said he would appeal.
Ryan served as Illinois’ secretary of state from 1991 through 1999 and governor from 1999 to 2003.
The FBI investigation began when it was alleged following the deaths of six children in a Wisconsin highway accident involving an Illinois trucker that truck drivers who had not qualified were paying bribes to obtain their drivers licenses after.
The jury found that Ryan accepted gifts, cash and vacations to Jamaica and Walt Disney World in Florida in return for awarding state contracts for computer systems, license plate stickers and other work. He also had staff members work on his campaign during state hours of employment. 4-17-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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