From the Peoria Journal Star:

Ryan report holds a surprise
Defense lawyer named in transition document
AdvertisementSunday, November 13, 2005
By Mike Ramsey
of Copley News Service
CHICAGO - If you're cynical, you probably think transition teams work
like this: A newly elected state official appoints a bunch of experts
to identify his top priorities. The blue-ribbon panel (read: staff)
issues a report, which usually begins collecting dust. Voila.
Ex-Gov. George Ryan released a 50-page transition report in March 1991
soon after the Republican became secretary of state, saying then the
document "incorporates my desire to have an open administration."
Included was a letter from the four transition chairmen, who wrote,
"We are honored to have been asked to serve the people of Illinois in
this important activity."
Fourteen years later, one of those chairmen, former U.S. attorney Dan
Webb, admits he doesn't recall serving.
"I don't even remember being in these meetings ... but my name's on
it," the high-powered lawyer said last week before the report - or at
least a portion of it - became evidence in Ryan's federal corruption
trial.
Jurors saw a list of transition team members, but it was altered to
remove Webb's name. Webb, of course, is defending Ryan against a
multicount racketeering indictment.
Prosecutors say the transition-team activities of two members, Ryan
insiders Don Udstuen and Larry Warner, set the stage for them to begin
controlling contracts in the secretary of state's office.
Webb, outside court, said he may not have had the interest in
traveling to Springfield to participate in the transition meetings.
His law firm is chaired by former Gov. James Thompson; Ryan was
lieutenant governor under "Big Jim."
Bodyguard tapped
An ex-bodyguard said last week that Ryan dipped into a regular cash
supply to pay for meals, gifts and other items. The testimony of Todd
Borisy was supposed to lend weight to allegations that Ryan was taking
kickbacks when he was secretary of state.
Borisy said Ryan seemed to have less cash during his earlier stint as
lieutenant governor and once tried to borrow money from his security
detail for a "friendly" golf wager. The bodyguard apparently was not
keen on the idea when Ryan asked him if he had any cash on him.
"I said yes, I did; how much did he need?" Borisy testified.
"And then what did he say?" a prosecutor asked.
"He asked me how much I had."
"And then what did you say?"
"I said how much do you need?"
"And then what did he say?"
"He asked me how much I had."
"And then what did you say?"
"I asked him again how much he needed, and he got out of the car ticked off."
"So did he borrow money from you that day, then?" the prosecutor asked.
"He did not," Borisy said.
And another thing
Under direct examination, the former bodyguard said Ryan would visit a
"fat farm" - eliciting chuckles from jurors - and traveled to one of
the health spas with Tony Leone of Springfield, whose firm reported
Ryan's campaign finances.
Solitary reader
Because Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn, may testify on behalf of her husband
later in the trial, she is not allowed to observe witnesses who may
mention her. On such occasions, she leaves the courtroom.
Thursday, Lura Lynn Ryan was sitting by herself in a waiting area with
her purse in her lap, but she had some reading material to occupy her
time. It was "Guideposts" magazine, which has the slogan, "True
Stories of Hope and Inspiration."
The tally so far
The Ryan trial, which began Sept. 28, has been in session for 21 days
during the past seven weeks. There have been 11 witnesses. It was
originally expected to last four months, but attorneys last week said
the slow-moving trial may go even longer.
Proceedings resume Monday.