The legal challenges of past state officials
SPRINGFIELD - Rod Blagojevich is hardly the first former elected official in Illinois to have to spend some time at the federal courthouse after leaving office. Here's a look at some of Blagojevich's not-so illustrious colleagues, the charges against them and their ultimate outcome.
George Ryan, a Kankakee Republican, governor from 1999 to 2003 and secretary of state from 1991 to 1999. Convicted on federal racketeering and fraud charges for steering state contracts to cronies and presiding over a driver's licenses for bribes scheme when he was secretary of state. Ryan is serving a 61/2-year sentence at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who will prosecute Blagojevich, led the prosecution against Ryan.
Otto Kerner, a Chicago Democrat, governor from 1961 to 1968. Convicted on 17 counts of bribery and conspiracy following revelations the manager of the Arlington Park racetrack bribed Kerner to obtain select racing dates and expressway exits near the track. The scam came to light after the manager includes the bribes as regular, deductible business expenses on federal tax filings. Kerner was prosecuted in 1973 by federal prosecutor (and future Illinois governor) James R. Thompson and was sentenced to three years in prison. He died in 1976.
Dan Walker, a Chicago Democrat, governor from 1973 to 1977. A decade after leaving office, Walker was convicted of bank fraud stemming from improprieties in running the First American Savings and Loan Association in Oak Brook, and not connected to his work in government. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and ended up serving 18 months. He now lives in Mexico.
Paul Powell, a Vienna Democrat, secretary of state from 1965 until his death in 1970. While his official salary was never more than $30,000 a year, shoeboxes containing more than $800,000 in cash were found after his death in his hotel room in Springfield, along with 49 cases of whiskey and two cases of creamed corn. Powell was investigated for corruption in 1966, but he was exonerated. Powell once told Time magazine, "There's only one thing worse than a defeated politician, and that's a broke one."
William Stratton, an Ingleside Republican, governor from 1953 to 1961. Four years after leaving office, he was charged with tax evasion related to misuse of campaign funds. Stratton was acquitted. He later served as vice president of the Associated Bank of Chicago until his death in 2001.
Lennington Small, a Kankakee Republican, governor from 1921 to 1929. While governor, Small was indicted on a charge of embezzling $600,000 and running a money-laundering scheme while he was state treasurer. Small was acquitted, but four of the jurors later obtained state jobs, raising questions of jury tampering.
Joel Matteson, a Joliet Democrat, governor from 1853 to 1857. Matteson tried to cash in $200,000 worth of government scrip he "found" in a shoebox. He avoided arrest and indictment by promising to pay back the money. The South suburban community of Matteson is named in his honor.
Other corruption probes
State government and ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich are not the only ones facing scrutiny from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Other ongoing investigations include:
• Cook County: Federal authorities have been probing hiring and contracting.
• O'Hare International Airport: Agents are looking at questionable contracts.
• City of Chicago: For years, Fitzgerald has been convicting top city officials of hiring fraud, the latest conviction coming last week.