Ryan Trial Fix

By Amy Hart in News on Nov 4, 2005 3:00PM

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:

10/26 to 10/27--Computer salesman Ed Wuttke testifies that Ryan and co-defendant Larry Warner tried to first shake him down for $250,000, and later for $750,000 to renew a state contract.

10/31--Lobbyist Bob Cook backs up Wuttke's story and testifies that Ryan was aware of corruption in his office since at least 1991.

10/31 to 11/02--Former state employees Robert Michael Chamness and James Esslinger testify that Ryan ordered them to look into leasing a truck drivers licensing center to Harry Klein, who hosted Ryan on a vacation in Jamaica. Illinois taxpayers then paid $173,000 to relocate the facility to a building owned by Klein.

11/03/05--Anthony DeSantis, owner of Drury Lane Theater, testifies that the thousands of dollars he sent Ryan and his relatives were gifts, and not pay-offs for receiving low digit license plates. DeSantis wanted to contribute to Ryan's gubernatorial campaign fund, but did not want his contribution to be public knowledge, so Ryan suggested he make checks out to him and his family.

If the Ryan trial has taught Chicagoist one thing, it is that we need to find better, richer friends who will give us wads of cash and send us on posh vacations.