George Ryan Indictment Documents Released

By vouchey in News on Jan 5, 2005 7:59PM

The Big News is that details of the allegations made by the U.S. Attorney against former Republican Governor George Ryan have been released (actual documents can be found here). It's a long, 114-page detailing of alleged corruption in the Secretary of State's office when Ryan held that job. The seemingly endless filing (called a "Santiago proffer", not to be confused with a "Dirty Sanchez") details kickbacks, payoffs, course language, and the trinkets of an allegedly corrupt public official and his best buddy, lobbyist Larry Warner.

The details are at once appalling and sad. Appalling because according to the State, Ryan clearly had no interest in good government, only to ensure he and his buddies were taken care of. He gave his friend, Larry Warner, complete roam of the Secretary of State's office, and Warner in turn used his power to shake down contractors for cash and employees for information -- and for kicks. Sad because all Ryan got in return were free vacations, cash for children's wedding expenses, clothes, and slices of businesses -- enough to make life temporarily more comfortable, but not enough to make you rich. Isn't corruption worth more than just temporary comfort?

Clearly, George Ryan has made corruption bipartisan. The U.S. Attorney's filing lists a staggering cast of characters filled with greed (scroll down to the bottom of this article for a list of major players) that rival anything Democrats may have ever devised.

Which is an interesting though, since yesterday Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins promised more indictments resulting from the Hired Truck investigation. Although there's already been 14 indictments resulting from Hired Truck, Sun-Times' Mark Brown points out that so far, the accused City Hall folks have either not offered to, or have anything to sing about their higher ups, which is what ultimately led to the indictment of Gov. Ryan.