Ex-Gov. Ryan indicted

Chicago Sun Times ^

[Sub-Driver]

Ex-Gov. Ryan indicted Former Gov. George Ryan was charged in a federal racketeering indictment Wednesday with taking payoffs, gifts and vacations in return for government contracts and leases while he was secretary of state. The indictment alleges Ryan received illegal cash payments and gifts, vacations and personal services. It says members of his family got cash loans and gifts totaling $167,000. The 22-count indictment charges that Ryan himself directed payments totaling more than $300,000 to prominent lobbyist Donald Udstuen. It says Ryan and his associates engaged in a pattern of corruption that included performing official acts, awarding lucrative government contracts and leases, and using state resources to benefit himself, members of his family and his political organization.

More to come

[IncPen]

Cross reference to related thread & discussion...

[martin_fierro]

Ryan (R)

I'm surprised his party affiliation wasn't in the article title.

[SaveTheChief]

Say hello for the main cause of the demise of the Republican Party in Illinois.

[philetus]

A politician taking payoffs, gifts, vacations, and personal services in return for government contracts?

I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you.

[Protagoras]

Poster boy for why Reagans 11th commandment is goofy.

Lyin Ryan.

[Bogey78O]

If he was a democrat they'd be trying to name an airport after him.

[JustPiper]

CBS2 Chgo.

Former Gov. Ryan Indicted

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was charged in a federal racketeering indictment Wednesday with taking payoffs, gifts and vacations in return for government contracts and leases while he was secretary of state.

Ryan, 69, a Republican known worldwide as a leading critic of the death penalty, gradually became the focus of a corruption investigation that began even before his 1998 election as governor. The growing scandal was a factor in Ryan's 2001 decision not to seek a second term.

The indictment alleges Ryan received illegal cash payments and gifts, vacations and personal services. It says members of his family got cash loans and gifts totaling $167,000.

The 22-count indictment charges that Ryan himself directed payments totaling more than $300,000 to prominent lobbyist Donald Udstuen.

It says Ryan and his associates engaged in a pattern of corruption that included performing official acts, awarding lucrative government contracts and leases, and using state resources to benefit himself, members of his family and his political organization.

George Ryan now has one of the best defense lawyers in America, former U.S. Atty. Dan Webb. He's met repeatedly with prosecutors trying to persuade them not to file criminal charges, but he has told CBS 2 News that he, too, fears an indictment could come soon.

The investigation began more than 5 years ago and focused at first on low-level employees of then Secretary of State George Ryan. Dozens were subsequently convicted in connection with selling drivers' licenses for bribe money that ended up in the coffers of Citizens for Ryan, the multi-million dollar political war chest that helped him win election as governor.

The federal government indicted and convicted that fund as a continuing criminal conspiracy in a trial some saw as a preview of possible proceedings involving the former governor himself.

For years Ryan insisted he did nothing wrong. Since becoming a target of the investigation more than a year ago, Ryan has declined to make any comment at all regarding the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his assistants have given us glimpses of their potential case against Ryan. While prosecuting others, they have referred to Ryan as "Official A.”

Public aired allegations include claims that Ryan took thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from a series of people who got state contracts and favors, ranging from relatively trivial low-digit license plates to no-bid deals worth millions of tax dollars.

U.S. Atty Patrick Fitzgerald's office had no comment regarding possible pending federal charges against Ryan.


6 posted on 12/17/2003 1:08:44 PM CST by JustPiper (Saddam gives new meaning to "Ace in the Hole")

[Protagoras]

I'm surprised his party affiliation wasn't in the article title.

LMAO,,,good one!

[JustPiper]

NBC 5

Ryan Indicted; Feds Call 2:30 PM News Conference
Ryan's Attorney Prepared To Mount 'Aggressive Defense'

POSTED: 6:23 AM CST December 17, 2003
UPDATED: 1:04 PM CST December 17, 2003

CHICAGO -- Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was charged in a federal racketeering indictment Wednesday with taking payoffs, gifts and vacations in return for government contracts and leases while he was secretary of state.

Ryan, 69, a Republican known worldwide as a leading critic of the death penalty, gradually became the focus of a corruption investigation that began even before his 1998 election as governor. The growing scandal was a factor in Ryan's 2001 decision not to seek a second term.

VIDEO: Ryan Indictment?

The indictment alleges Ryan received illegal cash payments and gifts, vacations and personal services. It says members of his family got cash loans and gifts totaling $167,000.

The 22-count indictment charges that Ryan himself directed payments totaling more than $300,000 to prominent lobbyist Donald Udstuen, who earlier pleaded guilty to corruption charges.

The indictment alleges Ryan and his associates engaged in a pattern of corruption that included performing official acts, awarding lucrative government contracts and leases, and using state resources to benefit himself, members of his family and his political organization.

"The charged conduct by former Gov. Ryan reflects a disturbing violation of trust," U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement. "Ryan is charged with betraying the citizens of Illinois for over a decade on state business, both large and small."

Fitzgerald scheduled a 2:30 p.m. CST news conference to discuss the charges.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Safe Road, initially focused on bribes exchanged for licenses for unqualified truck drivers when Ryan was secretary of state. It expanded into a broader investigation of political corruption that snared several of his top aides and associates.

Ryan became the 66th person charged in the investigation; 59 people and his campaign committee have been convicted so far.

For his part, Ryan has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had no knowledge of the license-for-bribes scandal that occurred while he was Illinois secretary of state.

"Was I involved in selling driver's licenses to people illegally? Hell, no, I wasn't," Ryan said previously, when asked about the scandal. "I didn't have anything to do with it. Would I tolerate it? Hell, no.

The scandal dates back to 1998, according to NBC5's Dick Kay, when dozens of midlevel state employees were accused of selling licenses for bribes.

"The money raised allegedly went toward Ryan's successful campaign for governor," Kay said.

An ongoing investigation has so far resulted in more than 60 convictions on a variety of corruption charges. Last summer, former Ryan aide Scott Fawell was the highest ranking official to be convicted as a result of the investigation. He's now serving 6 ½ years in prison and faces a second indictment.

"Federal investigators have linked a politician known as 'Official A' to the case," Kay said. "NBC5 has identified that unnamed official as George Ryan."

Michael Sneed reported in her column Wednesday that Ryan's attorney, Dan Webb, plans to mount an aggressive defense, Kay said -- with no discussion about a plea bargain.

Webb is the former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

[JustPiper]

ping

[Kuksool]

George Ryan is an example of why RINOS must be not be elected. Ryan, through his public policies and behavior, helped the Democrats win elections in Illinois.

[JustPiper]

To: JustPiper
I'm shocked and saddened -

have they tested him for crack?
3 posted on 12/17/2003 1:08:00 PM CST by Republicus2001


To: JustPiper
Gee what a surprize.

4 posted on 12/17/2003 1:08:28 PM CST by justshutupandtakeit (America's Enemies foreign and domestic agree: Bush must be destroyed.)

To: JustPiper
Now we know the real reason he rescinded the death penalty.

5 posted on 12/17/2003 1:08:44 PM CST by dfwgator

[Kuksool]

Despite his GOP affiliation, Ryan governed like a Democrat. Whatever IL House Speaker Mike Madigan wanted, George Ryan gave him.

[JustPiper]

To: JustPiper
Leading the way for John Rowland.

7 posted on 12/17/2003 1:08:51 PM CST by VRWC_minion

To: JustPiper
Inoperative link - however; I'm sure it's another clear indication of the widespread misuse of public office and political power that transcends party lines.

8 posted on 12/17/2003 1:09:11 PM CST by

[Lockbar]

I am from Illinois. This A$$ Clown Ryan is a real piece of work. I hope he gets "bubba-zied" in Prison.

[JustPiper]

To: JustPiper
He's a demoncrap right? They didn't say on radio CBS news.

10 posted on 12/17/2003 1:09:36 PM CST by stevio

Stevio: He's a RINO GOP

To: stevio
RINO.

11 posted on 12/17/2003 1:10:04 PM CST by July 4th (George W. Bush, Avenger of the Bones)

[Williams]

I'm shocked that a person who opposes the death penalty is not of the highest moral character (sarcasm off). It's interesting to see the combo of a flake and a crook. Just a thought, but maybe someone on death row paid him off to suspend the death penalty.

[JustPiper]

He may be going to Fed prison but at his age and being locked up well...his girl gave him up ;)

[Protagoras]

His "affiliation" isn't a casual one. He has been instrumental in Republican politics for decades. The whole party in this stinking state smells like a 2 day old fish.

Republican cheerleaders who look the other way on these type of people while excoriating others are the problem, not the solution.