'No plea bargain,' former Illinois governor says

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

CHICAGO -- Former Gov. George Ryan pleaded innocent to federal corruption charges Tuesday and said he would spurn any plea bargain on allegations that he took payoffs in return for letting associates profit from state contracts and leases. Ryan pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, tax fraud, filing false tax returns and making false statements to agents investigating corruption. He answered "I do" four times when the judge asked if he understood the charges. The charges in the 22-count indictment announced last Wednesday against Ryan and lobbyist Larry Warner could send them to prison for years.

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