Tough Sentence Eyed for Ex-Ill. Gov. Aide (63 charged, 57 convicted in taxpayer ripoff)

ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | June 30, 2003 | MIKE ROBINSON

[Liz]

CHICAGO (AP) - Prosecutors are hoping for a prison term of at least nine years for former Gov. George Ryan's top aide, convicted in the state's biggest political scandal in decades, when he comes up for sentencing Monday.

Prosecutors believe the thought of spending that long behind bars may persuade Scott Fawell, whom they call the mastermind of a plan to rip off taxpayers, to become a federal witness and tell the inside story of the scandal - especially any part Ryan may have played.

"Fawell was the unquestioned operational leader ... who created the environment for widespread fraud and misconduct to flourish," prosecutors have said.

Fawell, 45, was convicted of racketeering and other offenses at a seven-week trial in March. It was the biggest case to date in the five-year federal investigation of corruption under Ryan.

Sixty-three people have been charged so far and 57 convicted.

Ryan himself has not been charged but he decided not to seek a second term and left office in January.

Witnesses said at the trial that Fawell, working as Ryan's chief of staff and campaign manager, used state workers and taxpayer dollars to fuel Ryan's campaigns and pressured employees for campaign contributions.

Witnesses also said Fawell got free vacations from a contractor, shredded campaign documents and even billed taxpayers for the shredder.

Jurors disregarded defense attorney Ed Genson's claims that underlings largely were to blame and that Fawell didn't know of their crimes.

Fawell ordinarily would get a sentence of five to seven years, but prosecutors are urging nine to 11 years because his misdoings disrupted government.

Genson has said that's unfair. Far from disrupting state government, Genson says, Fawell was skilled in running programs designed to encourage drivers to become organ donors and reduce drunken driving.

The tremendous political heat generated by the case should not be held against Fawell, the attorney added.

[Liz]

Witnesses said at the trial that Fawell, working as Ryan's chief of staff and campaign manager, used state workers and taxpayer dollars to fuel Ryan's campaigns and pressured employees for campaign contributions. Witnesses also said Fawell got free vacations from a contractor, shredded campaign documents and even billed taxpayers for the shredder.

Taxpayers got screwed then were forced to pay for the privilege.

[JmyBryan]

Nothing like government to solve corporate corruption ...

[God is good]

The story of a Democrat politician's life!

[Liz]

I should have posted a Yawn Alert to this thread. LOL.

[Liz]

Imagine what the gubmint could do if it really tried (snicker).

[stylin19a]

I still can't believe Fawell didn't give up Ryan.

[Zeno44]

I, for one will not be happy until George Ryans ass is in jail.
The Reps in Illinois are a bunch of spineless whimps. Not one of them stood up to Georgie.


Zeno44

[cars for sale]

yeah but.........for a rep to stand tall in Ill., that would be like " A Senator Goes To The Mafia" (spin there)

as to the high number of convictions......wanna bet
it would be more like 4 if lite em if ya got em Reno
was still the AG ?

[BillyBoy]

Another part of "nobel prize nominee" George Ryan's "legacy"

Do any of you guys from outside Illinois STILL believe what the media has fed to you about George's "integrity"?

[Liz]

Nah.

[God is good]

I can hear a pin drop in here. Ok major gov. corruption in high offices and it seems like nobody cares. I guess the Senate's response to the Clinton legacy gave us a glimpse into the future.

[Liz]

I guess the Senate's response to the Clinton legacy gave us a glimpse into the future.

The conniving Clintons legacy will live on ad infinitum, ad nauseam.