George Ryan-Former Illinois Governor Loses His Pension

George Ryan-Former Illinois Governor Loses His Pension when the Supreme Court ruled that his conviction on corruption charges bars him from receiving any pension in any form whatsoever.

What is it with all of the crooked politicians coming out of Illinois? Are there that many crooks or are they just that stupid and get caught?

The Illinois pension system is all ready tens of billions in the red, but Friday, February 19th, 2010, it got a reprieve when convicted ex-Governor George Ryan won’t receive a dime of his pension.

George Ryan, 75, was set up to receive all most $200,000 a year in retirement income before his conviction in 2006. After going to jail, a state appeals court ruled that he could keep $70,000 a year accruing to his government service prior to that conviction.

However, on Friday, the Supreme Court over turned that decision with a majority decision. Politicians who miss use the trust of those who place them in office should not get reprieves or any special allowances.

Former Bears kicker and Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas wrote, “As the victims of Ryan’s crimes, the taxpayers of the state of Illinois are under no obligation to now fund his retirement.”

Good old George was caught and convicted for giving out government contracts and licenses in exchange for bribes and political favors. I believe that you used to call them grafts. Does that sound familiar, Baby Boomers? Rod Blagojevich followed in his foot prints, it seems.

He was caught with his hand in the till as he traveled to Jamaica and Cancun, and took gifts ranging from golf bags to small business loans. The charges stem from his 4 years as governor, from 1999 to 2003, plus the eight years that he served as secretary of state prior to being the governor of Illinois.

George Ryan served two terms as lieutenant governor, the period of time he was trying to receive pension payouts from.

Where is George Ryan

Currently, George Ryan is serving a six and a half year prison term at the Federal Correction Complex in Terre Haute, Ind. He will be illegible for early release on July 4, 2013.

His new game tactic has been to step up his appeals for clemency to President Obama. His reason is that his wife Lura Lynn Ryan has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

He tried for clemency from President George Bush. The Rod Blagojevich scandal made that politically impossible.

George Ryan-Former Illinois Governor Loses His Pension loses his pension and he should NOT be able to receive a “get out of jail free card,” because his wife is ill.