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Pantagraph EditorialFriday, September 8, 2006 12:16 AM CDT
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Ryan, Illinoisans got what they deserved -- in part
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
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Illinoisans finally got something at Wednesday's sentencing hearing for former Gov. George Ryan for which they have waited a long time.

No, it wasn't a long prison sentence. It was an apology -- sort of.

"When they elected me as the governor of this state, they expected better, and I let them down," Ryan said in asking for leniency.

"I should have been more vigilant. I obviously failed," he told U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, before she handed him a 6½-year sentence.

It wasn't an admission of guilt, but at least it was an admission of failure.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his team did an excellent job of pursuing leads during the eight-year Operation Safe Roads investigation of corruption.

Of 79 individuals indicted, 75 have been convicted.

The 6½-year term was less than the eight-to-10 year sentence prosecutors had sought. But it is a suitable sentence considering Ryan's age, 72, and the impending loss of his pension.

This is no slap on the wrist. But Pallmeyer didn't throw the book at him, either.

The racketeering conspiracy count against him carried a possible sentence of 20 years. In addition, he was convicted of mail and tax fraud, lying to federal agents and filing false tax returns.

Ryan has become the third former Illinois governor to be sentenced to prison in less than 35 years.

Former Gov. Otto Kerner served a year for crimes committed after he became a federal judge. Former Gov. Dan Walker served 17 months for crimes committed after he left public office.

Ryan's misdeeds occurred during his time as secretary of state as well as governor.

Steering leases to political insiders cost the state at least $603,348 based on the restitution Pallmeyer ordered Ryan to pay. And, at least indirectly, the corruption cost several lives as a result of sales of drivers licenses to unqualified persons. The payoffs made their way to Ryan's campaign chest.

More difficult to measure is the cost of diminishing respect for government as a result of this case.

"Government leaders have an obligation to stand as the example," Judge Pallmeyer said. "Mr. Ryan failed to meet that standard."

Ryan didn't just take away money, through gifts from well-connected individuals and contributions to his campaigns. He took away confidence and trust in government.

And that will be even more difficult to recover than the $603,348 in restitution ordered by the judge.

But seeing that Ryan did not get away with the corruption and insider dealing is the first step in restoring that confidence.

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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Just Watching wrote on Sep 9, 2006 10:47 AM:

" When is this paper going to apologize for its endorsement of Ryan? "

Right wrote on Sep 8, 2006 8:57 PM:

" In my opinion they're all crooks. Listed are just the ones who got caught. "

Agree with get real wrote on Sep 8, 2006 8:29 PM:

" This sentence is a joke. Atleast he gets to spend the holidays with his family before going to jail. People caught for drugs are held in custody till they find room for them in the system. Why was he not taken into custody the day he was sentenced? Because, he will have to go and no one will care in January 2007. "

dave wrote on Sep 8, 2006 8:06 PM:

" Your editorial incorrectly says Otto Kerner was sent to prison for crimes committed after he was governor. Not true. He was convicted of illegally profiting from racetrack stock while he was governor, starting about 1962. He was charged and convicted while he was a federal judge. "

Get Real wrote on Sep 8, 2006 12:53 PM:

" 6 1/2 years!!?? How come selling an ounce of pot will get someone a heck of a lot longer than 10 years, but rob taxpayers while in a position of power... "

Fachna wrote on Sep 8, 2006 10:11 AM:

" Far be it for the Pantagraph to meditate upon the fate of former Governor Ryan without mentioning those of former Democratic governors Kerner and Walker. The wonder is that the qualification that their transgressions occurred after their terms of office was mentioned at all. This puts me in mind of a prominent local citizen who had the misfortune to do a short stint of federal time many years ago - he was never thereafter mentioned by the Pantagraph - in any connection - without a reference to his incarceration; even his obituary did not forebear to remind the public of his transgression. As to Gov. Ryan, I will again paraphrase what was said of King Charles I after he was decapitated - that nothing in his terms of public office became him so much as the manner of his leaving it ..... with a courageous act of mercy sparing his state the infamy of howsoever judicial murders. As the Republicans jostle one another to condemn and distance themselves from George Ryan, I can suspend partisanship to recognize his brave act. "

GolfFan wrote on Sep 8, 2006 8:10 AM:

" Yes, we got Republicans. We deserved what we got. Fortunately we didn't get everything we deserved. That'll be forthcoming in the next election cycle. "
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