From the Chicago Sun-Times

New details of lobbyist's ties to former gov
February 19, 2004
BY STEVE WARMBIR Federal Courts Reporter
Arthur "Ron" Swanson, a lobbyist and close friend of former Gov. George
Ryan, was passing a $4,000 kickback to another lobbyist in a men's restroom
when Swanson told the man he would take care of him, just like Swanson
"always takes care of George," federal prosecutors alleged Wednesday.
The lobbyist getting the alleged bribe, Donald Udstuen, took that to mean
that Swanson was paying kickbacks to him as well as Ryan, prosecutors said
in court documents. Udstuen is cooperating with the feds after pleading
guilty to corruption charges.
New details emerged Wednesday from the government filing about the
relationship between Ryan and Swanson. Swanson has been charged with lying
repeatedly to a grand jury investigating Ryan even after Swanson had been
granted immunity. Swanson's attorney, Ted Poulos, declined to comment on the
government filing.
Ryan was charged last year with accepting cash, loans and vacations for
himself or his family from friends, who in turn profited from their ties to
Ryan. Providing new details, prosecutors said Swanson admitted once giving
Ryan $200 to gamble with in Lake Tahoe, and at the end of the night, Ryan
returned $200 in chips to Swanson.
Swanson said he had stayed at the condo of Ryan's son in Lake Tahoe. And
Swanson had hosted Ryan at his time-share in Cancun. Swanson also admitted
giving gifts to Ryan and his wife over the years, many worth more than $500,
prosecutors said. He also admitted giving cash to six Ryan staff members.
Prosecutors allege Swanson got lobbying business thanks to his relationship
with Ryan. They noted that Swanson would withdraw large sums of cash from
the bank at times. Prosecutors appeared to suggest that making payments to
politicians to get things done was routine for Swanson.