Ryan pal pleads guilty to lying about McPier lobbying job
April 22, 2004
BY STEVE WARMBIR Federal Courts Reporter
Leaning on a lectern to support himself, an ailing Arthur "Ron" Swanson, a
lobbyist and longtime friend to former Gov. George Ryan, pleaded guilty
Wednesday in federal court to lying to a grand jury about getting a
sweetheart lobbying contract for the McCormick Place expansion.
Swanson, 77, admitted in his plea agreement that after Ryan became governor,
Swanson mentioned he was interested in lobbying for McPier, the agency that
oversees the convention center and Navy Pier. Soon after, Swanson got the
job.
Swanson did little if any work for his annual retainer of $60,000. When he
appeared before a grand jury last year investigating Ryan, Swanson lied
about how he got the job and what he did for McPier.
Swanson faces as little as probation or up to a year in prison. His plea
agreement does not call for cooperation against Ryan. Prosecutors indicted
Ryan last year on charges the former governor took cash, loans and gifts for
himself or his family from his friends, and in return dispensed sweetheart
deals to those pals, including Swanson.
It's unclear whether Swanson would be a good witness for either side at
Ryan's criminal trial next year. Swanson has made clear his loyalty to Ryan,
so he would appear to have little value for prosecutors. But as a convicted
perjurer, he would likely offer little to help Ryan at trial. Also, Swanson
is a sick man, taking nine medications for ailments that include diabetes
and high blood pressure, one of his attorneys, Ted Poulos, said in court.
Swanson pleaded guilty to one of six perjury counts he faced. Patrick
Collins, the lead prosecutor investigating Ryan, pointed out that pleading
guilty to one count or getting convicted on six had little practical effect
on Swanson's sentence, given federal sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors were
also aware that the judge would likely take into account Swanson's health
when determining his sentence.