Illinois' Legacy Of Corruption: Three Ex-Governors Jailed Since 1970's

Three former Illinois governors have gone to prison in the past 35 years, and a host of other governors have gotten into legal trouble.

_Otto Kerner, a Democrat who was governor from 1961 to 1968, served less than a year of a three-year sentence after his 1973 conviction on bribery, tax evasion and other counts. He was convicted of arranging favorable horse racing dates as governor in return for getting horse racing association stock at reduced prices. Kerner died in 1976.

_Dan Walker, a Democrat who was governor from 1973 to 1977, served 1 1/2 years of a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty in 1987 to bank fraud, misapplication of funds and perjury. The charges were not related to his service as governor.

_George Ryan, a Republican who was governor from 1999 to 2003, was convicted of corruption in 2006 for steering state contracts and leases to political insiders and helping cover up bribes paid in return for truck drivers licenses while he was secretary of state and then governor. He is serving a 6 1/2-year prison term.

In addition, William Stratton, Illinois governor from 1953-1961, was later indicted but was acquitted on charges of income tax evasion.

Governors from other states who have run into legal trouble include:

_ Alabama: Guy Hunt was removed from office upon his conviction on a felony ethics charge in 1993 for using $200,000 from his inaugural fund on personal purchases. A judge spared him from a prison sentence and Hunt eventually received a pardon. Don Siegelman, who served one term as governor before losing in 2002 amid corruption allegations, was convicted in 2006 on bribery and other charges. He was sentenced to more than seven years but then released after serving nine months while his appeal is pending.

_ Arkansas: Jim Guy Tucker was found guilty in 1996 of misusing a federally backed business loan. He resigned and served 1 1/2 years of home detention, avoiding prison because of health problems. He pleaded guilty in 1998 to conspiring to reduce his tax on a cable TV deal and ordered to pay restitution. Both cases had stemmed from the Clinton-era Whitewater investigation.

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_ Arizona: Fife Symington resigned after being found guilty in 1997 of defrauding lenders in his previous career as real estate developer. His conviction was overturned on appeal and he was later pardoned by President Clinton. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years but had remained free on appeal and did not serve any time.

_ Connecticut: John G. Rowland resigned as governor in 2004 and pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge. He admitted trading access to his office for more than $100,000 in vacations, charter airline trips and home repairs. He served 10 months in prison.

_ Maryland: Marvin Mandel was sentenced in 1977 to four years in federal prison after being convicted of mail fraud and racketeering for helping five friends with legislation favorable to a racetrack they owned. He served 14 months.

_ Louisiana: Edwin W. Edwards was convicted in 2000 with four others in a scheme to rig riverboat casino licensing. He remains in prison and has served six years of a 10-year sentence.

_ Rhode Island: Edward DiPrete pleaded guilty in 1998 to bribery for accepting $250,000 from architects and engineers in exchange for state contracts. He served 11 months in prison.

_ Tennessee: Gov. Ray Blanton was ousted in 1979 amid charges of selling pardons. He was later convicted of conspiracy to sell liquor licenses and served 23 months of a three-year sentence. One of the charges was overturned.

_ West Virginia: Arch A. Moore Jr. pleaded guilty in 1990 to five felonies, including mail fraud and extortion. He served three years of a nearly six-year sentence. William Wallace Barron served over three years in prison after pleading guilty 1971 to paying a $25,000 bribe to a federal jury foreman during his 1968 corruption trial.

Comments

[Daniboy]

Dems are again pulling ahead in in the race for "Most Corrupt Party". With power comes perks for dishonest people.

[anghiari]

Puleeze...Democats are what? This idiot is in a class by himself...and I must tell you that citizens vote for these crooks...Palin will show up soon...not at this level, but be clear she has abused her authority too. Voters get so caught up in politics, they excuse behavior and it leads to debacles like this...put him under the jail and throw away the key...The most arrogant utterly stupid politician I have seen in years...he runs Cheney a foot race for the most arrogant.

[bubbuh]

Count 'rm and crap. GOP's a "winner."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_scandals_of_the_United_States#2000-present

[karela]

Of the twelve cases of governor corruption listed in this article, one was from Arizona, three were from Illinois, three from New England seaboard states and five were from southern states. These cases go back nearly forty years. I found it interesting that there seem to be areas in the country where such shenanigans are apparently more likely to happen. In all the states except Illinois, it only happened once in that time frame. I think it's good that this came up to be dealt with before Obama is sworn in so that the air can be cleared. There are many people of good will and integrity in Illinois politics, but there may be others who need to be sorted out. Obama and Durbin are in, and will be in, good positions to shine a light on what needs to be done there, either directly or indirectly. Durbin's call for a special election to fill Obama's seat is a good beginning. In Obama and Durbin, Illinois has been fortunate to find good men of great integrity. That's the very reason that Blago never mentioned his dirty, little ideas to them. Crooks know who to talk to and who not to talk to about their criminal activities.

[harriettubman]

The people of IL must stop voting straight party tickets and vote for the BEST person for the job. Stop voting the same way your parents did. There's no political convictions.

[VOTER]

Actually, we don't vote like our parents and vote Straight Party.

We had the situation of after 30 BAD years with GOP Govs being offered
two flawed candidates. The Flawed, if not insane, Dem. won.

I repeat, at least, we are catching and convicting our crooked pols.

How's your state doing?

[Nommo]

So how much did they pay GQ for the #1 ranking?

[poomplet]

"WE'RE #1 WE'RE #1"

...sadly.

But at least our rampant corruption is bipartisan.

[VOTER]

It is another sad day for Illinoisans BUT at least
we catch and convict our corrupt pols.

Think of all of the other states not doing so............................................................

[strangerinthenight]

dear Mr. Emmanuel,

Damage Control already ? Say it isn't so please ?

[BSERIUS]

after all is said and done .... Ryans actions are still the most heinous and despicable of most any politicians ... The Willis family is still grieving 6 children

[VOTER]

I agree.

I, also, think this scandal has stopped all of the Commutation talk for
Felon George Ryan.

When you finally catch a BIG CROOKED FISH, WHY WOULD YOU LET HIM GO?

[Tinsdale]

Seconded

[whiteboyblues]

Most politicians are the same, the only difference is these are the ones that got caught

[strangerinthenight]

Are you saying Bushwacko is smart ?

[bubbuh]

So, I make it 12 Guv's convicted of crimes that were an abuse of office, two who convicted of crimes which occurred either before or after therm as Guv's and one tossed because he indicted and was from IL. Of the 12 Guv's convicted of Guv Office crime since 1960, 3, not including the Current Arrestee, have been Illinois Guv's. I'd say that makes IL the champ.

[VOTER]

Sad business but is looks like we are at least attempting to get rid of
our pol crooks. Not all states can say the same thing.

[bubbuh]

Definitely.

[bubbuh]

This is the English version of the comment. I swear all those words were there before!


So, I make it 12 Guv's convicted of crimes that were an abuse of office; two who were convicted of crimes which occurred either before or after their terms as Guv; and, one tossed in because he was indicted and was from IL. Of the 12 Guv's convicted of Guv Office Crime since 1960, 3, not counting the Current Arrestee, have been Illinois Guv's. I'd say that makes IL the champ.

[gzuss]

Let's not forget about Rostenkowski and Hastert (I don't think Hastert was actually ever charged with anything, but if I recall he did have his share of controversies.)

[bubbuh]

We're only counting Guv's right now, If we were counting the Federal who spent time in the pokey, Spiro Agnew would have to be the top fish and the list would go three figures with a special mention for Trixon who eeled out with naught but disapprobation.

[VOTER]

Same for Edgar and Thompson - both Republicans

[BSERIUS]

Edgar was great , Thompson is slime