:: Running from the Thought Police ::

:: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 ::

Closer To Home

Former Gov. Ryan (R-IL) was indicted on federal charges today.

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

...The indictment alleges that for more than a decade Ryan let his friends wield great influence in state government and profit from his positions as secretary of state and later, governor. Ryan allowed some of his friends, who were not state employees, to steer state contracts in return for bribes and gave others insider information that they could profit from, while ignoring complaints of wrongdoing from employees and others.

In return, the indictment alleges, Ryan and his family received illegal cash payments, gifts, vacations and personal services from his friends and associates. The indictment did not list a dollar figure for Ryan but said members of his family got cash loans and gifts totaling $167,000.

The 91-page indictment charges that lobbyist Larry Warner, a close friend of Ryan's, collected cash from state vendors and landlords and funneled it to Ryan and another lobbyist. Warner already has been charged in the case and has pleaded not guilty.

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

"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.''

This looks to be developing, more on it later if I feel like it.

:: The Squire 2:21 PM :: email this post :: ::
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