After six years of silence, former Gov. Ryan chief-of-staff Scott Fawell and his co-defendant and fiancée, Andrea Coutretsis finally spoke out on Ryan, prison, and even the 1994 crash that killed the six Willis children, appearing on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to talk to Carol Marin. more ›

Now that he's no longer Governor, Rod Blagojevich can turn his attention to his upcoming federal trial and, more importantly, finding a new lead attorney. Star defender Ed Genson quit Blago's legal team on the heels of Blago's media blitz, which Genson disapproved of. With that, all the ex-gov is left with is "longtime friend" Sheldon Sorosky. The father-son pair of Sam Adams Jr. and Sr. handles some of Blago's impeachment proceedings but have not yet committed to the federal portion of Blago's legal woes. The Sun-Times reports that Rod and Patti met with several prospective attorneys over the weekend in an attempt to fill out the roster. more ›

After 18 weeks, the prosecution in the George Ryan corruption trial finally rested its case yesterday, and the defense quickly got underway. more ›

The George Ryan trial is in recess until after the New Year, but let’s take a look at some of the most interesting recent developments so you can discuss them all with your family and friends over the holidays: more ›

Chicagoist has a confession to make. Sometimes we sit around and think about what actors will star in the George Ryan trial made for TV movie. We’re hoping it will be on CourtTV and star Brian Dennehy as Ryan. Scott Fawell would, of course, play himself. more ›

The George Ryan corruption trial isn't nearly as entertaining now that Scott Fawell has left the building, but that definitely doesn't mean it's boring. Here's a short synopsis of the main developments of this past week: more ›

You would think the prosecution in the George Ryan trial would have learned by now that their key witness, Scott Fawell, doesn't like answering questions about his fiancee, Andrea Coutretsis. We mean he really, REALLY doesn't like it, and if it would not have been too surprising if he had gone all Naomi Campbell on federal prosecutors before he finished up his testimony on Tuesday. more ›

Did we miss something? Scott Fawell is the key witness in the prosecution’s case AGAINST George Ryan, right? more ›

In case you haven’t noticed, Chicagoist has become slightly obsessed with the enigma that is Scott Fawell. First we were scared when he took us back to college with his cocky frat boy routine, then we felt sad when we found out his admiration of George Ryan was not being reciprocated, and now we have been confronted with the love struck Romeo act. Yesterday, during his fourth day of testimony in the corruption trial... more ›

Last week Scott Fawell entered the courtroom of the Ryan trial as the arrogant, swaggering frat boy we have all grown to loathe. After waving to the audience in the courtroom, he nodded to Ryan and his co-defendant Larry Warner, saluted a reporter, and made it clear that he does not appreciate the prosecution making him turn on his buddy George Ryan. more ›

What’s that? You’re sick of hearing about George Ryan’s corruption trial? And just think--the expected four month extravaganza is just beginning! more ›

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It was a bad year for the Illinois GOP. Illinois went totally Blue for the presidency, Obama won, Alan Keyes was their Senate candidate, the Democrats kept hold of both houses of the state legislature, and Democrat Rod Blagojevich continued his popular reign as governor. Now it looks like the last Republican governor, George Ryan, is beginning a long, torturous journey to the federal pokey. Just this afternoon, federal judge Rebecca Pallmeyer decided to unseal... more ›

Man, the press is having a field day with Scott Fawell. "Fawell tune: What he'll do for love" is the Trib's headline, and the Sun-Times weighs in with "Teary Fawell: I'm ratting out Ryan for love." Of course, Chicagoist has a serious case of Friday brain, and as we read the S-T headline we were like, "Hey, who's Teary Fawell? I wonder if he's related to Scott Fawell." Anyway, English language: what's up. more ›

Scott Fawell pleaded guilty yesterday to bid-rigging plots and is apparently dishing all kinds of shit on George Ryan and Lawrence Warner. In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to seek a reduced sentence of 6 months (down from 18) for Fawell's fiancée and former aide, Alexandra "Andrea" Coutretsis. more ›

One more domino in the increasingly corrupt former-Gov. George Ryan administration fell today when power-lobbyist Al Ronan pleaded guilty to mail fraud in connection with bid rigging in the $800 million expansion of Chicago's McCormick Place convention center and agreed to pay a $350,000 fine. more ›