From Chicago Sun-Times

Defiant Ryan vows to fight charges, testify at own trial
December 24, 2003
BY STEVE WARMBIR, TIM NOVAK AND TOM MCNAMEE Staff Reporters

Pummeled by federal prosecutors and a 91-page criminal indictment, former Gov. George Ryan jabbed back Tuesday, vowing he would cut no plea deals with the feds whom he blamed for shredding his personal life.
And Ryan will make his case to jurors by testifying at his trial, said Ryan's powerhouse attorney, Dan Webb.
"I'm going to fight hard," Ryan said during his first public comments on the racketeering conspiracy and other charges against him.

"I want to respond to the almost six years of abuse to my family and friends that I have endured as the federal government has torn apart my personal life with this intrusive and overbearing investigation," said Ryan, who left the news conference without taking questions.
Ryan was charged last week with taking cash, loans, trips for himself or his family from friends while he was secretary of state and later governor. In return, those friends reaped millions of dollars from state leases and contracts thanks to the influence they had from their friendship with Ryan. One pal helped pay for Ryan's daughter's wedding, while another paid in part for a trip to Disney World for the family of one of Ryan's children, authorities allege. If convicted, Ryan, 69, of Kankakee, faces seven to nine years in prison.
On Tuesday, Ryan, the man who gained international fame clearing Illinois' Death Row, entered the world of the criminal defendant.
He pleaded not guilty before a federal judge, was released without having to post a bond and had his lawyers argue over a key strategic issue of whether Ryan would be tried along with his friend, Lawrence Warner. Both men were charged together.
Later, Ryan got processed like any other criminal defendant. But of course, he is unlike any other defendant since virtually his every move as he entered and exited the courthouse was scrutinized, photographed and recorded by the press.
With his wife, Lura Lynn, by his side, Ryan entered the Dirksen Federal Building just after 10:30 a.m. Wearing a black suit, white shirt, and red-white-and-blue tie, Ryan passed through metal detectors just like any other visitor to the high-security building.
Waiting for Ryan was a scrum of television cameramen, who lunged forward as Ryan made his way past security. He was greeted by some friendly faces as well, including Lawrence Marshall, the legal director for the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, who became close to Ryan as the governor worked to reform the death penalty system in Illinois.
Ryan even exhibited some Christmas cheer on the way to the courtroom. As he was entering an elevator, he turned to a little girl, leaned over and asked her: "Are you ready for Santa?"
The startled girl said nothing as she got on another elevator.
In the courtroom, though, Ryan reserved a frosty look for Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins, the federal prosecutor most responsible for his indictment.
Whenever Collins would speak in court, Ryan, standing at a lectern just a few feet away from the prosecutor, would step out, pivot and fix Collins with an icy stare.
Collins told U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that Ryan and his friend, Warner, should be tried together, while Warner's attorneys, the legendary Edward Genson and his colleague Marc Martin, made an argument that would effectively have the men tried separately.
Warner, a Republican businessman accused of raking in more than $3 million because of improper influence peddling -- juice he had with the state thanks to Ryan -- was indicted more than a year ago, but Ryan was added last week to the criminal case against his friend.
Having separate trials could benefit both Ryan and Warner.
Without having to sit at the same defense table, both men, at separate trials, could blame each other much more easily to explain away the allegations against them, legal experts said.
Also, the former governor would benefit greatly if Warner went to trial before him. Ryan and his legal team would essentially get a sneak preview of the case against him.
Many of the witnesses testifying against Warner would later testify against Ryan. So Ryan's legal team could exploit any inconsistencies in what witnesses said at Warner's trial and their later testimony at Ryan's trial.
Warner wants his trial in February. Webb said he couldn't be ready until March 2005. The judge said she would decide next month whether the two men would have separate trials or go together, saying she preferred one trial instead of two.
At the news conference, Webb blasted the government's case against Ryan.
He argued the government won't put on a single witness at trial who will testify Ryan pocketed a bribe.
"Not a single witness is going to testify to that as far as I can tell from the indictment, and I consider that a huge indictment of the government's case," Webb said.
Prosecutors would be expected to argue they don't have to show a direct quid pro quo -- a bribe in a back alley or men's room stall to Ryan, then an immediate payoff to the bribe giver. Rather, prosecutors appear to be arguing a looser relationship where, over time, Ryan and his family reaped benefits from Ryan's pals, who in turn got taken care of with sweetheart deals or access to Ryan they could sell.
Webb said he would underscore Ryan's lack of personal wealth to show the former governor wasn't lining his pockets.
And Webb reiterated that he would attempt to use Ryan's fame for reforming Illinois' criminal justice system to highlight his honesty.
"A man of his character would not commit these crimes," Webb said.
Ryan will spend Christmas with his family, said his friend and adviser, former Gov. James Thompson.
Ryan had no answer Tuesday when asked if he was willing to see his daughters called to testify at his trial about the alleged benefits they reaped.
Contributing: Cheryl L. Reed

GOV. RYAN'S REMARKS
Former Gov. George H. Ryan's remarks after pleading not guilty to corruption charges.
"When I appeared in federal court this morning, as you all know, I entered a not guilty plea. I entered a not guilty plea to the charges contained in the government's indictment of me. I am absolutely not guilty of those charges.
"Lura Lynn and I have spent more than three decades . . . in service to the people of this state. I have tried my best to be faithful to that service and to earn the trust and the support of the voters who elected me in election after election. I would not dishonor that trust by the kind of conduct the government has alleged, and I am grateful for the calls and letters that I have received from people who are standing by me and are helping me.
"I have retained Dan Webb, an outstanding lawyer, trial lawyer -- a fighter -- because I am not going to give up. I am going to fight. I'm going to fight hard. I want to respond to the almost six years of abuse to my family and friends that I have endured as the federal government has torn apart my personal life with this intrusive and overbearing investigation.
"Therefore, I will not plea bargain. I will go to trial and establish my innocence.
"As I await my trial, I will rely on the support of my family, my deep faith in God and my abiding trust in the judicial system.
"I am innocent and the truth will come out in court.
"Thank you all and a Merry Christmas to all of you."