Home
Contact Us
[Posted on Tues, Apr. 18, 2006]
Ryan StoryAfter more than five months of complex testimony, a jury convicted former Illinois Governor George Ryan of all 18 felony charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, tax fraud and making false statements to the FBI. Chicago businessman Larry Warner, a longtime friend of Mr. Ryan was also convicted of receiving commissions from leases and contracts with Mr. Ryan's office. After months of preparation, the criminal trial began on September 28, 2005, with the Chicago RCFL providing expert digital forensics to the office of the United States attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald. The prosecutors alleged that Mr. Warner and others gave Mr. Ryan cash, gifts, free vacations, and favors in exchange for government contracts while in office, totaling at least $167,000.
The Chicago RCFL examined various types of electronic "media" including several computer hard drives and CD's.
Robert Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Chicago Division said he hopes "this case begins the end of political prostitution that seems to have been evident in the State of Illinois and begins a resurrection of honest government and services in this state that so many people have demanded."
Seventy-two-year-old Ryan faces a maximum of 20 years in prison plus a $250,000 fine alone on the racketeering conspiracy count. It is probable that he will get less time, however prosecutors declined to comment on a sentencing recommendation.
[Chicago RCFL web site ]