Ryan stripped of $200,000 pension

November 29, 2006

BY JOHN O'CONNOR ASSOCIATED PRESS

State officials stripped former Gov. George Ryan of a $197,000 annual pension Wednesday, ruling that a federal racketeering conviction wiped out benefits built up from a 35-year career in public office.

The General Assembly Retirement System board, including members who served under Ryan when he was Speaker of the House a quarter-century ago, voted unanimously to cut him off.

''This is one of the worst things I've ever faced in my life. I wish I could vote the other way,'' said former state Rep. Phillip Collins as he cast a vote with the majority ''in the fervent hope that the court overturns this.''

Ryan declined comment. But another former governor, James Thompson, is Ryan's lawyer and said he plans to file a lawsuit, perhaps asking the state Supreme Court to review the matter.

''He is out of money,'' Thompson said.

Thompson had argued before the board that Ryan should get to keep the pension money he earned during 25 years as a county board member, state representative, and lieutenant governor -- about $65,000 -- because he committed no crimes during those years.

Ryan was sentenced to 61/2 years in prison for mail fraud, money laundering, extortion, obstruction of justice and bribery during his time as secretary of state and governor, from 1991 to 2003.

He is appealing the conviction. An appellate court ruled Tuesday he does not have to start serving his sentence as ordered on Jan. 4 while his case is under review.