Former Illinois Governor George Ryan’s last-ditch effort to appeal his criminal conviction is being denied. The U.S. Supreme Court made that decision Tuesday. IPR’s Alex Keefe reports:
Ryan’s lawyers have argued for years his corruption conviction should be re-considered after a change in the so-called “honest services” law. The change would require prosecutors to prove a defendant took bribes - and Ryan’s lawyers argued the government never proved that. But on Tuesday, justices denied Ryan’s appeal without explanation.
So%20that%27s%20the%20end%20of%20the%20road.%22%20-Former%20Illinois%20Governor%20Jim%20Thompson.
Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson is one of Ryan’s lawyers.
“The governor’s disappointed and we, his lawyers are disappointed, but we knew it was a long-shot when we filed this last petition.”
Ryan was released from prison last month. He’ll be confined to his home - in Kankakee - until he’s done with his sentence in July.