Posted on 01/04/2005 7:23:48 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CHICAGO (AP) - Prosecutors unveiled their sweeping racketeering case against former Gov. George Ryan on Tuesday, saying he got free Caribbean vacations, cash for family members' businesses and a host of other perks through ties to corrupt state landlords and lobbyists.
The government's preview of the evidence they plan to present at Ryan's trial portrays the former governor as intimately involved in even minor details of alleged corruption, from doling out coveted low-digit license plates to holding luncheons for state employees who raised money for his campaign fund.
The document is something prosecutors often file in conspiracy cases and most often it is made public immediately. Attorneys for Ryan and another defendant had tried to keep this one under seal, saying publicity arising from it could unfairly bias potential jurors.
But U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer ordered it unsealed Tuesday.
Ryan attorney Bradley E. Lerman issued a statement saying the former governor "vigorously denies the hearsay allegations and innuendo that make up the government's one-sided submission."
The trial is due to start March 14.
The papers allege that Ryan was bonded to his longtime friend and co-defendant, Larry Warner, in a corrupt relationship in which the lobbyist could easily steer lucrative state contracts to his clients. In turn, Ryan got gifts and financial benefits from Warner, from help in investing in the stock market to $6,000 for Ryan's son's cigar business, according to the document.
Almost as soon as he was elected secretary of state in 1990, Ryan developed an unusually close relationship with Warner, the document says.
"Let's keep Larry happy if we can," the document quotes Ryan as telling top aide Scott Fawell - a statement Fawell understood to mean steering business to Warner clients.
Messages for comment left for Ryan at his home and attorney Edward M. Genson, representing Warner, were not immediately returned.
The documents also allege that former state Sen. Arthur Swanson, an old Ryan friend, received many benefits from the governor, including help in landing lobbying contracts and an agreement under which the state was to buy the Lincoln Tower complex owned by a Swanson client.
According to the document, Swanson showed his gratitude with $2,200 in Disney World accommodations for a Ryan daughter, a stay in a Cancun condo for Ryan and his wife, money to gamble at Lake Tahoe, traveling expenses and gifts including a dress, Cuban cigars, art, golf bags and cuff links.
Ryan's brother's ailing business also received cash as a result of the corruption, the document says.
The investigation initially focused on the selling of driver's licenses for bribes at the secretary of state's office, which oversees the motor vehicle agency. But the investigation was soon expanded to a range of corruption under Ryan. Dozens of people have been charged.
Huh! George Ryan is a Republican. In fact, he was Bush's campaign manager in 2000. The corrupt person I have ever seen/known. I am glad I voted for Glen Poshard, who was a conservative Democrat. The funny thing is IL GOP is still led by George Ryan sympathizers. They are the ones who forced Peter Fitzgerald out of the Senate and then Jack Ryan out of the Senate race. IL GOP is in deep deep trouble.
Ooops. ! :-|
Thanks!
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