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George Ryan on trial: Complete coverage
Original Indictment and stories on IPSN
The former governor is tried on
federal corruption charges that when he was secretary of state
and later governor, he steered leases and contracts to friends
and political supporters and was repaid with free vacations and
other gifts.
148 pages of rules launch Ryan jury
March 13, 2006.
After being persuaded and wheedled by lawyers for more than five
months, the jury in former Gov. George Ryan's corruption trial
will spend Monday with only each other, piles of trial exhibits
and 148 pages of jury instructions.
Willises quietly 'pray for justice'
March 12, 2006.
One of the more compelling moments in George Ryan's corruption
trial didn't occur in the courtroom at all, but in the cafeteria
of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
Verdict a nail-biter for feds' next targets
March 12, 2006.
Like it or not, by this time next week, former Gov. George Ryan
and his buddy, Larry Warner, may walk free.
Feds ask jurors to 'do some justice'
March 11, 2006. A
week of closing arguments concluded Friday with an impassioned
plea by the prosecution to "do some justice" and convict former
Gov. George Ryan and his close friend, Lawrence Warner.
Feds mock defense's talk
March 10, 2006.
After enduring three days of scathing defense attacks on its
case, the prosecution came out swinging Thursday, scoffing at
portrayals of former Gov. George Ryan and co-defendant Lawrence
Warner as victims of the federal investigation.
Collins hangs 'red flags' all over Ryan
March 10, 2006.
It took only about an hour for Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick
Collins to obliterate two days' worth of high-priced legal
defense spinning in the federal case against former Gov. George
Ryan.
Ryan defense rests
March 9, 2006.
Former Gov. George Ryan's lawyer pounded away Wednesday at the
government's case, delivering a point-by-point attack on months
of prosecution evidence.
Closing arguments as real-life theater
March 9, 2006.
They weren't selling tickets to defense attorney Dan Webb's
two-day closing performance in the federal bribery and
corruption case against former Gov. George Ryan and co-defendant
Lawrence Warner. Dramatically serious matters of potentially
tragic magnitude were in play.
Hours of denial won't chase rain clouds
March 9, 2006.
Dan Webb's white hands poked out of his gray suit like a couple
of wading birds pecking along a mud flat at low tide.
Lawyer calls case against Ryan lies
March 8, 2006.
Saying former Gov. George Ryan has been put through "seven years
of hell" by federal authorities, Ryan's lawyer assailed the
government's case Tuesday as riddled with speculation and hinged
on witnesses with powerful motives to lie.
Webb weaves drama and spin for jury
March 8, 2006.
It's hard to doze with a man shouting about seven years of hell
in a quiet room.
Feds say Ryan is greedy, 2-faced
March 7, 2006.
Closing arguments began in former Gov. George Ryan's trial
Monday with prosecutors blasting him as a shameless, greedy
politician at the center of a series of dirty deals that
enriched cronies who kicked back cash and gifts to Ryan and his
family.
A front-row view of state's biggest drama
March 7, 2006.
You should see the Ryan trial as it reaches its climax this
week.
Is it chump change if we're the chumps?
March 7, 2006.
Could you live on $174 in cash for an entire year?
Closing 'what it's all about'
March 6, 2006.
With closing arguments in the historic trial of former Gov.
George Ryan set to begin Monday, lawyers for all sides will get
their last, and some say best, chance to convince jurors that he
should remain free or go to jail.
Jury won't see fawell chart
March 5, 2006. A
federal judge blocked former Gov. George Ryan's lawyer from
displaying a chart to jurors about a 12-week trip that Ryan's
imprisoned former chief of staff said he believed at the time
was an attempt to force him to cooperate against Ryan.
Prosecutors win 1 and lose 1
March 3, 2006.
Federal prosecutors won the go-ahead Thursday to argue next week
that former Gov. George Ryan knew about the illegal diversion of
state resources to political campaigns but tried to evade blame
by sticking his head in the sand.
Ex-governor was source of leak
March 2, 2006. In
a transcript unsealed Wednesday, the lawyer for former Gov.
George Ryan admitted that Ryan leaked sealed information to a TV
reporter last week about a juror in his corruption trial, but
the lawyer insisted Ryan didn't realize the subject was sealed.
22-hour limit set for closing arguments
March 1, 2006.
The federal judge presiding over former Gov. George Ryan's trial
on Tuesday allowed lawyers in the case to take up to a combined
22 hours to make closing arguments to the jury next week.
Ryan trial's testimony ends with sound, fury
February 28, 2006.
After an eventful day that saw federal
prosecutors lambaste the integrity of the U.S. attorney for
southern Illinois and the judge gag lawyers from making public
comment, testimony concluded in the historic trial of former
Gov. George Ryan.
Witness for Ryan is in the hot seat
February 27, 2006.
The U.S. attorney for southern Illinois who was
in the uncomfortable position of testifying against the
government in former Gov. George Ryan's trial earlier this month
has been subpoenaed to return to the witness stand this week.
Debt not disclosed by Ryan witness
February 25, 2006.
The top federal prosecutor for southern
Illinois did not report on his 2004 financial disclosure
statement that he owed money as part of the settlement of the
bankruptcy of his former law firm in which he was a partner.
U.S. asks judge for gag order
February 24, 2006.
Federal prosecutors on Thursday blasted former
Gov. George Ryan's lawyer, accusing him of orchestrating a bid
to influence the jury in the trial's 11th hour after Ryan's wife
made a controversial defense of her husband in a series of TV
interviews.
Special witness poses a special threat
February 24, 2006.
A few days ago in federal court, lawyers from
Winston & Strawn, the giant law firm run by former Gov. Jim
Thompson, were busy representing former Gov. George Ryan in his
corruption trial.
Ex-governor won't testify
February 23, 2006.
For months, Dan Webb, the lead lawyer for
George Ryan, has all but promised that the former governor would
take the witness stand at his corruption trial.
Witness for Ryan not sued on firm's debt
February 23, 2006.
A federal prosecutor who testified on behalf of
former Gov. George Ryan still owes money to creditors of
Chicago-based Altheimer & Gray, the prosecutor's former law firm
that went bankrupt in 2003.
Ryan's wife certain he will be acquitted
February 23, 2006.
Former Gov. George Ryan declined the witness
stand Wednesday, but his wife, Lura Lynn, spoke to local media,
defending the man she said she's known as honest since the day
the couple met during their freshman year of high school.
Ryan as Abe: Why not dress the part?
February 23, 2006.
Maybe George Ryan is being brave by not
testifying in his own defense. He certainly has that right.
Warner still up in air on whether to testify
February 22, 2006.
Will former Gov. George Ryan and co-defendant
Lawrence Warner take the witness stand remained the key question
Tuesday as the defense wound down its case at the corruption
trial.
Justice lawyers attack 1 of own
February 17, 2006.
A top federal prosecutor who testified Thursday
on behalf of former Gov. George Ryan sparked a nasty dispute
among Justice Department lawyers, drawing accusations that
Ryan's lawyers in 2001 may have secretly tape-recorded an FBI
interview of Ryan.
Court drama builds toward a crescendo
February 16, 2006.
The defense case edged closer to conclusion
Wednesday without any clearer indication whether former Gov.
George Ryan or co-defendant Lawrence Warner would take the
witness stand.
We interrupt this trial to laud the defendant
February 16, 2006.
If I were just slightly less of a gentleman, I
would have spit out my coffee in a great geyser the other
morning upon reading the news that the doorman at George Ryan's
Chicago condominium building had testified as a character
witness at the former governor's federal corruption trial.
Support by Death Row foe
February 15, 2006.
A staunch death-penalty opponent who wrote the
book "Dead Man Walking" defended former Gov. George Ryan's
character at his corruption trial Tuesday, saying he was a rare
politician who would change his view on issues.
Taking the stand is a roll of the dice
February 14, 2006.
After undergoing a series of preparation
sessions with his lawyers, former Gov. George Ryan is ready to
take the stand in his own defense.
Janitor got $50, gave $25
February 14, 2006.
A janitor who worked for former Gov. George
Ryan testified Monday he voluntarily gave $15 to $25 cash to
Ryan at Christmas for years but acknowledged on
cross-examination that the gifts usually came after Ryan's
campaign sent him $50.
Candidates grapple with issues of trust
February 13, 2006.
With former Republican Gov. George Ryan
standing trial on corruption charges and ongoing federal
investigations touching Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich's
administration, the issue of ethics has moved to the forefront
in this year's primary election for governor.
Defense's decision day nears
February 10, 2006.
Decision day is nearing for former Gov. George
Ryan and his lawyers on whether he takes the stand at his
corruption trial.
Star witnesses are limited
February 9, 2006.
A federal judge on Wednesday limited lawyers for former Gov.
George Ryan from describing the background of certain character
witnesses, including some high-profile opponents of the death
penalty, to prevent Ryan's controversial policy decisions from
becoming issues in the trial.
Ryan's Christmas spirit
February 9, 2006.
Some bosses throw parties at Christmastime for employees. Others
give bonuses, fruitcakes, a box of candy, maybe a flower
arrangement or even just a card.
From cigars to a pineapple
February 8, 2006.
Logs of gifts to George Ryan during his term as governor show he
was given cigars, books, T-shirts, flowers and food from
friends, other politicians and dignitaries as varied as New York
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the president of South
Korea.
Gifting the boss? A capital tradition
February 8, 2006.
For the janitor, the retired state police officer and the
current mayor of Carbondale, nothing seemed odd about slipping a
few dead presidents into their boss' Christmas card, even though
their boss at the time was the governor of Illinois.
Staffers bid Ryan $12,500 farewell
February 7, 2006.
In his last weeks as governor in late 2002, George Ryan was
given about $12,500 in cash as a Christmas gift by dozens of
employees, Ryan's longtime secretary acknowledged Monday in
testimony at Ryan's corruption trial.
New criticism of Ryan's grant to track
February 6, 2006.
As former Gov. George Ryan fights for his name in federal court,
the state of Illinois is aggressively fighting to take back a
$750,000 grant he gave to the politically active former owners
of Sportsman's Park racetrack only three days before he left
office.
Defending Gov. Ryan
February 5, 2006.
After a half-day of testimony, the closely guarded strategy of
George Ryan's defense team has started to unfold with a series
of witnesses aimed at chipping away the credibility of the
prosecution and repairing any damage to the former governor's
character.
Slime rate of state politics drops again
February 5, 2006.
A reader called to complain about Republican George Ryan's
Christmas card defense.
A Christmas card defense
February 3, 2006.
After 17 weeks of fighting back in a case that painted former
Gov. George Ryan as a corrupt politician who schemed with
friends and family to enrich themselves, Ryan's attorneys
Thursday finally began to present their side of the story on
their terms.
FBI agent alleges series of falsehoods
February 2, 2006.
An FBI agent, the government's final witness in the corruption
trial of George Ryan, testified Wednesday to a series of alleged
falsehoods made by Ryan in three interviews with federal
authorities while he was Illinois governor.
Every family has a designated loser
February 2, 2006.
Most people have at least one loser relative. You know, someone
like Uncle Donald who shows up for a wedding having not slept or
showered in four days, especially unfortunate since it's his
wedding.
Illness further postpones Ryan trial
January 31, 2006.
The illness of a key criminal-defense lawyer has postponed the
corruption trial of former Gov. George Ryan and his friend
Lawrence Warner until at least Wednesday.
Amended taxes downplayed
January 26, 2006.
A government agent on Wednesday downplayed that former Gov.
George Ryan filed corrected tax returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997
several years later because Ryan knew by then of the federal
investigation into his finances.
6 deaths show graft must stop, couple say
January 25, 2006.
While jurors at former Gov. George Ryan's trial got a dry lesson
Tuesday in the complexities of tax law, the parents of six
children killed in a horrific crash that came to symbolize the
tragic consequences of Illinois' licenses-for-bribes scandal
spoke outside the courtroom in more personal terms.
Son-in-law tells court about loan
January 24, 2006.
Michael Fairman, a son-in-law of former Gov. George Ryan,
testified Monday that Ryan's co-defendant, Lawrence Warner, lent
him $5,000 months before he declared bankruptcy in 1997 because
of a gambling addiction, but Fairman couldn't remember if he
paid the money back.
Illinois: Corruption on parade
January 22, 2006.
Federal prosecutors on Friday filed new charges in a contracting
scandal involving Cook County government.
Bank activity detailed in court
January 20, 2006.
An Internal Revenue Service agent testified Thursday that
records show former Gov. George Ryan and his wife withdrew only
$6,700 in cash from their personal bank accounts over 9 1/2
years while he was in public office.
Family members on payroll
January 19, 2006.
Lynda Fairman and her husband were having significant financial
difficulties in 1996, so she called her dad, then-Secretary of
State George Ryan, and asked for his help.
U.S. zeros in on tax returns
January 18, 2006.
An accountant testified Tuesday he was told by then-Gov. George
Ryan's top lawyer that Ryan regarded his campaign funds as "his
money and he could do whatever he wants with them."
Jurors to see newscast videotapes
January 17, 2006.
Statements former Gov. George Ryan made to reporters
investigating the licenses for bribes scandal over the years may
be used in his ongoing corruption trial, a federal judge ruled
Monday.
Witnesses say Bauer never kept probe pledge
January 13, 2006.
Willie Thompson, the No. 2 official in then-Secretary of State
George Ryan's police department, said a 1994 call from Ryan's
top corruption watchdog was so important he called in his
secretary to take shorthand of the conversation.
Warner fundraising told
January 12, 2006.
Lawrence Warner played host at fundraisers that raised tens of
thousands of dollars for former Gov. George Ryan, a close
friend, and even picked up the tab for the band at a wedding of
a Ryan daughter, according to testimony Wednesday at their
trial.
Lobbyist's ex-girlfriend tells of gifts
January 11, 2006.
A former longtime girlfriend to lobbyist Arthur "Ron" Swanson, a
close friend of former Gov. George Ryan, testified Tuesday that
she and Swanson played host to Ryan and his wife at Swanson's
condo in a Mexican resort for a week in 1995.
Ex-governor contradicted
January 10, 2006.
A construction executive from Chicago, now U.S. ambassador to
Ireland, testified Monday he didn't recommend that Gov. George
Ryan appoint co-defendant Lawrence Warner to succeed him on the
board governing McCormick Place.
Witness: Boss got evidence
January 6, 2006.
During a raid in 1993 at a licensing facility in Libertyville,
Mark Lipe, an investigator for then-Secretary of State George
Ryan's office, made a key discovery in a manager's office: a
briefcase containing cash and 65 tickets for a Ryan fundraiser.
Theft inquiry was halted, witness says
January 5, 2006.
In the midst of a 1994 internal probe of a theft at a licensing
facility, Russell Sonneveld, an investigator for the secretary
of state's office, said he got a most unusual order from his
boss: Call George Ryan that night on a private direct line.
Defense loses bid to block testimony by ex-senator
November 16, 2005.
A judge rejected a bid Tuesday by lawyers for
former Gov. George Ryan to block testimony at his trial by
Philip Gramm, a former senator from Texas, about hidden
consulting fees shared by Ryan during Gramm's aborted
presidential run in 1995.
Defense wants to show huge legal fees are free
November 15, 2005.
This story contains corrected material,
published Nov. 16, 2005.
Aide: Ryan helped pal
November 11, 2005.
A top staffer to former Secretary of State
George Ryan testified Thursday that Ryan blocked changes to a
lucrative state contract, a move that, prosecutors charge,
ensured the contract continued to benefit friend and
co-defendant Lawrence Warner.
Guard says Ryan kept wad of cash
November 10, 2005.
A longtime member of former Lt. Gov. and
Secretary of State George Ryan's security detail testified Ryan
carried a wad of cash almost an inch thick and typically gambled
a couple of hundred dollars at riverboat casinos three to six
times a month.
Prosecutors blast Webb
November 9, 2005.
Federal prosecutors erupted Tuesday in frustration and flashes
of anger aimed at former Gov. George Ryan's lead attorney, who,
they charged, has abused the truth and the court with the style
and substance of his cross-examinations.
Witness winds up defending himself
November 8, 2005.
Former top political aide Richard Juliano told jurors Monday
that he cooperated with federal prosecutors because "it was the
right thing to do," but lawyers for former Gov. George Ryan
questioned whether he was trying to stay out of prison.
`Write 4 checks out ... for $500 each'
November 4, 2005.
Anthony De Santis, a prominent dinner-theater owner who fancied
low-digit license plates, testified that he was at a 1997
political fundraiser when he told George Ryan he wanted to
contribute $2,000 to his campaign for governor.
Aide says Ryan had role on lease
November 3, 2005.
When he was secretary of state, former Gov. George Ryan
personally called a top aide to request he check out leasing a
suburban building owned by his close friend Harry Klein for use
as a driver's license facility, the former aide testified
Wednesday.
Property manager seems to backtrack
November 2, 2005.
A retired state property manager appeared to backtrack Tuesday
in his testimony, saying a commercial driver's license facility
owned by a friend of George Ryan was an improvement over the
previous site located in a remote industrial area.
Property chief felt pressure
November 1, 2005.
A retired state property manager testified Monday in the trial
of former Gov. George Ryan that he was ordered to relocate a
commercial driver's license facility to an old beauty school in
South Holland that didn't fit the state's usual requirements.
Details help sharpen case
October 17, 2005.
Scott Fawell smirked, joked and cried on the witness stand, but
amid the theater, the longtime top aide to former Gov. George
Ryan delivered some solid blows to his onetime mentor if not the
knockout punch his star-witness status seemed to promise.
Lesson in politics for excused juror
October 16, 2005.
A juror excused late last week from the high-profile trial of
former Gov. George Ryan said Saturday she learned a bit about
how Illinois politics works behind the scenes.
3rd juror released from Ryan trial duty
October 15, 2005.
A Chicago woman on Friday became the third juror excused from
the trial of former Gov. George Ryan, leaving five alternates in
a case expected to continue for at least three more months.
Defense targets Fawell's motives
October 13, 2005.
The strategy of former Gov. George Ryan's defense team to
unravel the case against him began to emerge Wednesday as his
attorney struck at the heart of the government's case and the
motives of its star witness.
No `bomb' on Ryan, Fawell says
October 12, 2005.
An emotional Scott Fawell, under questioning for the first time
Tuesday from former Gov. George Ryan's lawyer, said he doesn't
believe that he or Ryan ever committed any crimes during their
years in politics.
Fawell's transition is complete
October 12, 2005.
It was enough to make a grown man cry. Twice.
Election funds went to relatives
October 7, 2005.
Former Gov. George Ryan's campaign paid out thousands of dollars
to Ryan's son-in-law, four daughters, sister and even a family
caretaker for political and consulting work they allegedly never
did, according to testimony Thursday in the ongoing corruption
trial.
Fawell offers insider's view
October 4, 2005.
A noticeably less cocky and sarcastic Scott Fawell, testifying
for a second day Monday at former Gov. George Ryan's trial,
provided a window for jurors into the nitty-gritty world of
Illinois politics and the privileges of power.
A cocky Fawell gets in first digs
September 30, 2005.
Scott Fawell, once former Gov. George Ryan's
close friend and top political aide, took the witness stand
Thursday, clearly relishing the spotlight at Ryan's historic
trial but professing a reluctance to testify against his former
mentor.
Cast of characters stars in drama made in Illinois
September 29, 2005.
Lura Lynn Ryan was wearing her good-luck
necklace--the one daughter Lynda made for her--and was putting
the best face on what had to be one of the most difficult days
of her long marriage to former Gov. George Ryan.
Ryan's inner circle
September 29, 2005.
LAWRENCE WARNER
Jury to have diverse face
September 28, 2005.
A day-care operator, a self-employed carpenter,
a marathoner and two Postal Service employees were among 12
jurors and six alternates picked Tuesday to decide the fate of
former Gov. George Ryan.
`Most distasteful thing I've ever done' nears for Fawell
September 28, 2005.
When Scott Fawell takes the stand to testify
against his close friend and mentor, George Ryan, it will be the
"the most distasteful thing I've ever done," he wrote in a
recent letter to the Tribune.
Ryan's trial a battle of heavyweights
September 26, 2005.
Edward Genson's legal education began at age 6,
as he tagged along with his father, a bail bondsman, and hung
out in courtrooms.
Both sides girding for Ryan trial
September 25, 2005.
As opening statements begin this week in the
corruption trial of former Gov. George Ryan, federal prosecutors
will try to prove that he was not just a bystander as friends
and political cronies used the secretary of state's office to
enrich themselves at taxpayers' expense.
Judge limits questioning as Ryan jury selection lags
September 21, 2005.
Lawyers in former Gov. George Ryan's trial
continued to slog through jury selection for a second day
Tuesday, making it more likely that opening statements won't
take place until next week.
Ryan jury selection gets off to slow start
September 20, 2005.
The judge in the federal trial of former Gov.
George Ryan had hoped a detailed questionnaire filled out last
week by prospective jurors would help speed up jury selection,
but the process started off Monday at a snail's pace.
Former Gov. George Ryan indicted
December 17, 2003.
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was charged
today in a federal racketeering indictment with conspiracy and
fraud while he was governor and secretary of state.
Copyright © 2006,
Chicago Tribune
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