Former Gov. Ryan Could Face Charges

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | December 16, 2003 | Mike Flannery

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Former Illinois Governor George Ryan could soon be facing serious federal charges.

Sources at the Department of Justice in Washington tell CBS 2 that potential charges include income tax violations, extortion and racketeering. The charges could come down as early as Wednesday.

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.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Video link on the Channel 2 web site.

[republicanwizard]

YEAH!

[Catspaw]

It's about time.

[LandofLincoln]

THEY SHOULD FRY THIS BASTARD. HE HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY DESTROYED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ILLINOIS ( THAT IS NOT WHY THEY SHOULD FRY HIM). THAT MAN WILL ROT IN HELL. MAYBE WHEN HE GETS THERE SATAN WILL MAKE HIM HELLMATES WITH BILL CLINTON.

[MizzouTigerRepublican]

Why has it taken so long to finally get ready to file charges on this guy?

[Sparta]

This is good news.

[COEXERJ145]

Couldn't happen to a nicer DemoRat, err, RINO.

[LandofLincoln]

NOBODY WOULD ROLL OVER ON HIM. ILLINOIS POLITICS IS THICK WITH SINNERS. BOTH PARTIES, AND THEY DON'T EVEN GO AFTER EACH OTHER. ONLY WHEN THE FEDS CAN PENETRATE THE SYSTEM DO WE EVER GET INDICTMENTS.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Party?

[Catspaw]

That's what I'd like to know. They've hauled in and convicted just about everybody else in his inner circle. I thought they would've busted him the day after he left office.

And I remember what started this all off--it was a hideous accident that killed five or six children. When the parents sued, they found the truck driver had gotten a CDL by bribing someone....

[The KG9 Kid]

As usual, nowhere in the article do they mention he's a Democrat.

[LandofLincoln]

DEMOCRAT, OR REPUBLICAN. NO PARTY SHOULD HAVE EVER HELD ONTO A GUY AS LONG AS THE REPUBLICANS HELD ON TO THIS GUY. SINCE HIS DAYS IN THE SECRETARY OF STATES OFFICE, HE HAS BEEN A TWO BIT POLITICIAN/SHAKEDOWN ARTIST.

TOO BAD MOST OF THE EVIDENCE WAS BURNED WITH SIX PEOPLE IN THE COOK COUNTY BUILDING LAST MONTH.

[LandofLincoln]

LET'S JUST SAY THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME EXTRA BUBBLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

[yooper]

Racketeering? In Chicago? No way.

[chicagolady]

This calls for a celebration!! Thankfully as Illinois Freepers get together this Saturday for a Christmas party, we can Celebrate even more!!

To bad you will not be there Land_of Lincoln_John!!

[Rocky]

Is this the same guy that let all of the murderers off of death row?

[LandofLincoln]

THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT HE IS BEING BLAMED FOR THAT I DO NOT BLAME HIM FOR. A SHAME WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SIX KIDS. IN ILLINOIS WE KNEW WAAAAAY BEFORE THAT. THAT IS JUST WHAT WOKE THE MEDIA UP.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Chicagolady: December is a tough time for me, business-wise. But it will be a MERRIER CHRISTMAS (except for Geo. Ryan). LOL

[Fester Chugabrew]

Illinois is mob city. You can't get elected in that state without greasing palms.