Ex-state worker indicted

By MIKE ROBINSON
The Associated Press
Published May 28, 2003, 3:36 PM CDT

A woman who worked at the nerve center of former Gov. George Ryan's political operation was indicted today on charges of lying to a federal grand jury in the bribes-for-licenses scandal.

Alexandra Prokos, 34, was charged with eight counts of perjury for what prosecutors said were lies she told when questioned about Ryan aide Scott Fawell's involvement in political corruption under Ryan.

Fawell, 45, Ryan's former chief of staff and campaign manager, was convicted March 19 of federal racketeering and other charges stemming from Ryan's eight years as secretary of state before becoming governor.

Prokos defense attorney Cynthia Giacchetti was not immediately available. A message was left with her office.

Until recently, Prokos worked for Fawell at the Chicago Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which oversees Navy Pier and McCormick Place. Both were dismissed by new Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

According to the indictment, Prokos lied repeatedly while testifying before a federal grand jury under a grant of immunity from prosecution.

The indictment said most of the questions involved Fawell and the Citizens for Ryan campaign committee, which was also convicted.

The questions involved a so-called master list of favors Ryan did while in office, the diversion of state employees to Ryan's campaign, the awarding of specialty license plates as a favor and shredding documents.

According to the indictment, Prokos also lied about whether she and Fawell charged personal overnight stays at the McCormick Place hotel to their pier and exposition authority credit cards.

For five years, Prokos was executive assistant to Fawell when he was chief of staff in the secretary of state's office. In 1998, she followed Fawell to work in Ryan's campaign for governor.

In 1999, after Fawell received the pier and exposition authority job under a Ryan appointment, he hired Prokos as director of operations.

Prosecutors have not accused Ryan of wrongdoing.

U.S. Atty. Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement issued by his office that Prokos was granted immunity to protect her "from any criminal repercussions relating to her truthful testimony.''

"That privilege was shredded when this witness allegedly chose to obstruct the grand jury's search for the truth,'' Fitzgerald said.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press