Former Illinois governor George Ryan has been convicted on all counts:
A federal jury convicted former Gov. George Ryan today on all charges that as secretary of state he steered state business to cronies in return for vacations, gifts and other benefits for himself and his family.
Lobbyist Lawrence Warner, a close Ryan friend, was also found guilty on all charges against him in the historic trial.
On their 11th day of deliberations, the six-woman, six-man jury found Ryan, 72, guilty on 18 counts of racketeering, mail fraud, false statements and tax violations. Warner, 67, was convicted on 12 counts of racketeering, mail fraud, extortion, money laundering and evading cash-reporting requirements.
The racketeering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Meeting briefly with reporters in the Dirksen Federal Courthouse lobby after the verdict, Ryan said he would appeal.
“The decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service I’ve given to the people of Illinois over 40 years,” the Kankakee Republican said.
But at a separate news conference, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Grant said he hoped today’s verdict ends “political prostitution” in Illinois, “and begins the resurrection of honest government services in this state that so many people have demanded.”
“In this country, in this democracy, no one is above the law,” Grant said.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick Collins, lead prosecutor in the case against the former governor, said at the same news conference, “A lot of critics indicated that this trial took too long, that we put on too much evidence.”
“But there was no smoking gun in this case,” Collins said. “This case was tried witness by witness, piece of evidence by piece of evidence, and it was only by looking at the totality of the case that the true picture could be shown to this jury.
“And that was a picture of corruption of the highest levels of government.”
It’s difficult to have any great sense of triumph from this. We deserved better.
UPDATE:
…given the jury problems there are some very serious issues for appeals. I don’t know which way they will go, but it is certainly possible that a new trial will be ordered. I imagine if that happens, Ryan and Warner will plea. If not, they will be in prison, possibly for the rest of their lives.
This certainly won’t solve the Illinois GOP’s problems, but it’s a good start toward a clean slate. Unfortunately, our nominee for Governor has a few too many ties to this guy for my taste.
Since I came of age I have always voted Republican or Libertarian. With one exception – George Ryan. For him I crossed party lines and pulled the Democratic lever.
No regrets.