Let's Get Ready to Rumble!

By Amy Hart in News on Sep 19, 2005 2:42PM

The long awaited corruption trial of former Illinois governor George Ryan is set to begin today. For those of you have been living under a rock, Ryan is charged with giving out lucrative state contracts to his friends and taking bribes while in office as Secretary of State and Governor, as well as lying to federal investigators (dude, seriously NOT a good idea).

Former Ryan Chief Crony Scott Fawell, currently serving time in prison for a corruption conviction related to the case, is expected to be the key witness for the prosecution. Fawell made a deal with the Feds and is willing to sell out his former BFF in order to spare his woman, and coconspirator, Andrea Coutretsis from serving an extended sentence. Wow, and to think, Chicagoist’s ex would not even kill a spider for me.

Recently Ryan has been playing the “woe is me” card and claiming his innocence in a plethora of television interviews, a move that has not pleased the prosecution, as they believe it to be an attempt to influence the jury pool. So, this trial is already off to a cordial beginning.

The timing of the trial is certainly not good news for the Illinois Republican party, as they attempt to save their souls from scandal, and mount a formidable challenge to Governor Blagojevich.

Jim Edgar… are you there… HELLO??!!!?