Thompson to ask Bush to free ex-Gov. George Ryan
Former Gov. Jim Thompson announced today that he will ask President Bush to commute former Gov. George Ryan's 6 1/2 year prison sentence.
"The man has gone from being the governor of the state of Illinois to being a prisoner in the federal penitentiary," Thompson said at a news conference at the Winston & Strawn offices this afternoon.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
Even with time off for good behavior, the 74-year-old Ryan wouldn't get out of his Terre Haute, Ind., prison until he’s nearly 80, Thompson said.
"I think it would be appropriate for the president of the United States to commute to time served."
Ryan began serving his sentence last fall.
Thompson's comments come after the Supreme Court rejected Ryan’s appeal to overturn his conviction on corruption charges. Ryan was convicted in 2006 of steering state contracts and leases to friends, and in return taking cash, gifts and trips from them. Several jury issues arose during deliberations, resulting in two jurors getting kicked off the panel and two alternates getting swapped in.
Ryan’s former prosecutor urged Bush to reject any bid to free Ryan.
"It would send a terrible message to the public and to the victims of corruption," said Patrick Collins, the former prosecutor on the case.