Word: ryan
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...Monday, former Governor George Ryan, 72,is the third Illinois goverrnor since 1973 to be convicted of federal crimes. Ryan, who won worldwide acclaim and even a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for clearing out the state's Death Row and putting a moratorium on executions, was found guilty of running campaigns - and government offices - like a personal piggy bank to enrich himself, family and friends. The verdict, convicting Ryan on 18 counts ranging from racketeering to mail fraud, came after five months of testimony from more than 100 witnesses, including Ryan's previously convicted former chief of staff, some...
...Despite the fact that Ryan had character witnesses like famed death penalty opponent Sister Helen Prejean, the jury was apparently sold on the government's position laid out in the first few minutes of closing arguments, which began March 13. "This is a case about a betrayal of trust, of corruption at the very highest levels of state government," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Levin, launching into a hours-long recounting of a trial that began on Sept. 19 and of a case that goes back roughly 13 years. "He might as well have put up a 'For Sale' sign...
...This decision today is not in accordance with the type of public service that I provided the state of Illinois," Ryan said moments after the verdict was read. "There will be an appeal." His lawyer, former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, said that among the grounds for appeal - and for immediate motions to overturn the verdict - would be the "unusual developments" during deliberations, including the disclosures about jurors who lied during attorneys' pre-trial questioning. On at least two occasions, the case appeared close to being tossed out after revelations that two jurors had failed to disclose criminal records and another...
...Those are mere technicalities for the many people who view Ryan as a "political prostitute," as former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm described him while testifying about how Ryan had allegedly pilfered $100,000 when he was the state chair of Gramm's reelection campaign in 1996. Among those sitting in the packed courtroom was the Rev. Duane "Scott" Willis and his wife, Janet, whose six young children were killed in 1994 when the van they were driving on a Wisconsin interstate exploded after a piece of a nearby truck dislodged and pierced its gas tank. When it was later discovered...
...Harvard victors, taking top spots in the 800 and 5000 meter runs, respectively. In the field side of the competition, freshman Becky Christiensen won the high jump by clearing a height of 1.75 meters. On the men’s side of the competition, senior James Kelly and sophomore Ryan Hafer proved that the core of the Crimson’s strength on the oval is in its long distance runners, sweeping the top spots in the 5000 meter race. Kelly won the event by crossing the line in 5:10.09, while Hafer finished a ways behind him in second...