From the Chicago Sun-Times:

With Fawell case closed, feds' trail may lead to Ryan

BY STEVE WARMBIR FEDERAL COURTS REPORTER

Scott Fawell, a former top aide to George Ryan, took center stage for eight weeks in a federal courtroom in Chicago during his corruption trial.

Now, with Fawell's conviction on all charges, the question centers on when Ryan himself will get star billing.

Ryan has not been charged with any crimes, but U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald made clear the investigation of corruption under the former governor continues. Fitzgerald steered clear of talking about the former governor himself.

"We'll take the case where it should go," Fitzgerald vowed after Fawell's conviction Wednesday.

Prosecutors, in filings and statements in court, clearly are pointing toward Ryan.

One of Ryan's closest friends, former lobbyist Donald Udstuen, is singing to the feds.

Another close pal, businessman Larry Warner, is to stand trial Sept. 15 and is accused of sharing bribe money with high-ranking secretary of state Official A when Ryan ran the office, according to court documents.

While Ryan has not been specifically named by the feds in that court document, the Sun-Times has identified him as the official.

In some instances, though, prosecutors have publicly tied Ryan to wrongdoing.

They contend Ryan and Fawell got free lodging in Jamaica from a Ryan pal, businessman Harry Klein, and then tried to cover it up.

They say Ryan and Fawell secretly shared proceeds from a consulting fee tucked into the budget of the 1996 Phil Gramm campaign for president. Ryan allegedly passed his share of the money along to four of his daughters, but it's unclear what, if any, taxes Ryan paid on his money.

Both men also knew about widespread shredding of incriminating documents, prosecutors suggest.

Ryan denies any wrongdoing and says he never profited from his office.

How much Fawell will tell the feds about alleged Ryan wrongdoing is unclear.

Fawell refused to flip on Ryan before his trial.

But it remains to be seen if Fawell will betray Ryan now as he faces prison time.

At Fawell's trial, one close friend after another got on the stand to testify against him.

To put pressure on Fawell, prosecutors likely will try to force him to testify before the ongoing grand jury by giving him immunity regarding alleged crimes he hasn't been charged with, and then grilling him.

Overall, Wednesday's win will provide a powerful impetus for people targeted in the probe to cooperate with the feds.

"Who's not going to cooperate now?" asked one veteran defense attorney familiar with the investigation. "Who's going to roll the dice?"