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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

So long, George

george_ryan_cake.jpg Former Illinois Governor George Ryan joins the population of Wisconsin's Oxford Federal Prison tomorrow. A brief (or long, depending on your perspective) history of how he got to this point:

* From approximately 1990 to 2002 a continuing conspiracy of racketeering, mail fraud, etc.
* Indicted on December 18, 2003
* Trial begins on September 19, 2005
* Sentenced on September 6, 2006

His 78 month incarceration was to have begun on January 4th of this year. But, due to the benevolence of the criminal justice system a very high-powered and resourceful, but free, legal team, he doesn't report until tomorrow.

The State Journal-Register put together a pretty decent photo gallery of Mr. Ryan through the years. And I took this shot near Springfield's dump in October of 2002:

signage1.jpg

As of yet, he has not publicly apologized or taken responsibility. I don't expect he ever will.

Cake decorator generator via Dan Brekke.

Posted by Marie at November 6, 2007 10:57 PM

Comments

78 months? Louisiana's ex-governor got 10 years for racketeering, extortion, mail fraud, and wire fraud. He still maintains his innocence. Though I wanted him out of office, I ended up feeling sorry for him when he was sent to prison.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Edwards

Posted by: Rob Author Profile Page at November 7, 2007 6:15 AM

Rob, I remember hearing about Edwards all the way up here even. I have not yet reconciled whether I feel sorry for Ryan. Maybe some day.

Posted by: Marie at November 7, 2007 10:43 PM

Unfortunately, the few who repent of their misdeeds publicly -- like Randy "Dukestir" Cunningham -- are in the minority. I tend to be discouraged by that, but then you realize the unapologetic wrongdoer is well-rooted in American history. Check out the career of congressman, Civil War general, and murderer Dan Sickles for a spectacular example.

Posted by: Dan at November 8, 2007 12:21 PM