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Posted on 07/18/2003 1:09:16 PM PDT by tdadams
Fielding wrong number calls on your cell phone can be a severe annoyance ... usually.
But when the errant calls are for Illinois' embattled former governor, it can be a hoot, says a Chicago lawyer with a very unusual cell phone tale
Gil Ross, a partner in a downtown firm, activated his new black Nokia 7160 phone in late June. Ever since, the calls for former Gov. George Ryan have kept the phone ringing.
Politicians from all over the state, with their names popping up on caller ID, have checked in asking for "Gov. Ryan," "the governor" or just "George."
It didn't take long for Ross to figure out he apparently had been assigned an old cellular number once held by Ryan. And it didn't take long to start having some fun at the expense of Ryan, who has seen some in his inner circle convicted or indicted for corruption.
"I answer: 'Cash, small unmarked bills only in a paper bag, how can I help you?" Ross says. "As a general rule, it results in immediate hang-ups."
Ross also likes to joke to callers about what federal agencies might be listening on the line.
Ryan has not been charged with any wrongdoing in the federal government's Operation Safe Road probe into his secretary of state years. But he left office in January after opting against a second term.
He didn't seem amused Thursday when told of Ross' cell phone routine.
"Clever guy," Ryan grumbled.
The former governor said he can't be certain it's really his old number because it has been months since he would have used it. But it's possible.
"It may have been an old number," Ryan said. "It does ring a bell."
The industry standard in the wireless business is to wait at least 90 days before recycling an "aging" number. That period can be shortened if a personalized number is requested, Citizens Utility Board executive director Marty Cohen said.
"But most of the time they wait far longer for this precise situation," Cohen said.
Ross said he didn't request a specific number, but did ask his carrier for a "good number." The number he received, from a numerical standpoint, fits the bill because it includes several zeros and is easy to remember.
Ryan said the number would likely have been one he gave up before leaving office, meaning more than seven months had elapsed before it was recycled.
Ryan, a Kankakee resident, now has a new cellular number with an 815 area code. He doubts anybody calling the old number is a close friend.
The troubles surrounding Ryan have put a dark cloud over the Illinois GOP. Ross describes his own political leanings as "fiercely independent" and says he never voted for Ryan.
But out of fairness, Ross won't name the names of the errant callers to his cell phone because he figures they didn't willingly give up their expectation of privacy by calling the number. But he says several are so well-known he has recognized their voices.
Ryan says if Ross has a problem with the errant calls, he should just get a new number.
That seems unlikely.
"I not only like the number, but it's worth ... a lot of fun, too," Ross said.
Wrong: Attorney not giving up number
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