The Democrat
s aren’t the only ones with problems in Illinois. Our state currently has one Republican ex-governor in prison (and a Democrat ex-governor will probably be there soon). George Ryan, the 39th governor of the State of Illinois, served in office from 1999 to 2003. His 35 year career in Illinois politics included terms as a state representative, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and governor. Ryan was nationally known for establishing a state moratorium on the death penalty, and equally well known for his involvement in racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering, and tax fraud. In 2006, a federal jury fou
nd him guilty on all charges, and he reported to the Federal Prison Camp in Oxford, WI in 2007. In 2008, he was transferred to the Federal Prison Camp in Terre Haute, IN where he resides today.
Ryan has been in the news lately because he is appealing not only his remaining prison term (6 ½ years) but also his right to retain his pension from his government service. His appeal to be released, thus far unsuccessful, is based on his need to be home to care for his ill wife, Lura Lynn. Ryan’s attorney, former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson, and Lura Lynn now plan to ask President Obama to intervene. After Ryan’s conviction in 2006, the General Assembly Retirement System suspended his $197,037.00 annual pension. In recent times, his attorneys have appealed Ryan’s right to retain a partial pension, $60,000.00 annually, for the years when he was an Illinois Representative and Lieutenant Governor. Apparently, when he served in those positions, he did not commit any crimes. The Illinois Supreme Court issued its verdict Friday. In the words
of the decision written by Justice Bob Thomas, “Ryan gets nothing.” I have the perfect solution to this penniless dilemma. George and Lura Lynn have five daughters a
nd one son. The children can take care of their mother, and George can ask for his sentence to be extended to life. George will “celebrate” his 76th birthday in Terre Haute on Wednesday, February 24. Maybe someone will bring him a cake with a file in it!
s aren’t the only ones with problems in Illinois. Our state currently has one Republican ex-governor in prison (and a Democrat ex-governor will probably be there soon). George Ryan, the 39th governor of the State of Illinois, served in office from 1999 to 2003. His 35 year career in Illinois politics included terms as a state representative, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and governor. Ryan was nationally known for establishing a state moratorium on the death penalty, and equally well known for his involvement in racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering, and tax fraud. In 2006, a federal jury fou
nd him guilty on all charges, and he reported to the Federal Prison Camp in Oxford, WI in 2007. In 2008, he was transferred to the Federal Prison Camp in Terre Haute, IN where he resides today. Ryan has been in the news lately because he is appealing not only his remaining prison term (6 ½ years) but also his right to retain his pension from his government service. His appeal to be released, thus far unsuccessful, is based on his need to be home to care for his ill wife, Lura Lynn. Ryan’s attorney, former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson, and Lura Lynn now plan to ask President Obama to intervene. After Ryan’s conviction in 2006, the General Assembly Retirement System suspended his $197,037.00 annual pension. In recent times, his attorneys have appealed Ryan’s right to retain a partial pension, $60,000.00 annually, for the years when he was an Illinois Representative and Lieutenant Governor. Apparently, when he served in those positions, he did not commit any crimes. The Illinois Supreme Court issued its verdict Friday. In the words
of the decision written by Justice Bob Thomas, “Ryan gets nothing.” I have the perfect solution to this penniless dilemma. George and Lura Lynn have five daughters a
nd one son. The children can take care of their mother, and George can ask for his sentence to be extended to life. George will “celebrate” his 76th birthday in Terre Haute on Wednesday, February 24. Maybe someone will bring him a cake with a file in it!
No comments:
Post a Comment