George Ryan's wife says she, husband have clear consciences

SPRINGFIELD -- George Ryan's wife said Wednesday that she and her husband have clear consciences and are getting on with their lives despite the looming possibility that the ex-governor may go to prison.

"We're doing very well," said Lura Lynn Ryan, who appeared with her husband in Springfield to sign copies of a book about the Illinois governor's executive mansion. "My conscience is clear, and so is George's. We get on with our life."

Lawyers for George Ryan have requested a fresh hearing on his racketeering and fraud case before all 11 actively sitting federal appeals judges after a three-judge panel of the appeals court last month affirmed his conviction in a 2-1 split decision.

The 73-year-old was convicted last year of racketeering and fraud for steering state contracts to well connected cronies, using state money to run his campaigns and killing an investigation of drivers license bribery. He was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison but remains free on bond pending a decision on his request for a so-called en banc hearing.

George Ryan declined to answer questions at Wednesday's event.

The book, "At Home With Illinois Governors: A Social History of the Illinois Executive Mansion, 1855-2003," was written by Dan Monroe. Lura Lynn Ryan helped oversee the project while her husband was in office.

Lura Lynn Ryan added on Wednesday that the Ryans' faith in God would sustain them in the future.

"When you've got a clear conscience and you're right with the Lord, I don't think too much bad can happen to you," she said.