Durbin Asks Bush to Commute Ex-Governor's Sentence
The senior senator from Illinois, Democrat Dick Durbin, has sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking him to commute the prison sentence of disgraced ex-governor George Ryan.
The letter notes that Ryan, 74, has already lost his state pension benefits and won’t get them back if the sentence is commuted, the Chicago Tribune reports.
In the letter, which was reportedly furnished to reporters, Durbin writes, “For those who would argue that a commutation makes light of his crimes, it is clear that he has already paid a significant price and will continue to do so as long as he lives. Justice is a sword that should be tempered with compassion. Further imprisonment will not, in my opinion, serve the ends of justice.”
Durbin has faced much criticism since first questioning whether Ryan’s 6 1/2 year sentence ought to be reduced. Ryan has been in jail for more than a year following his 2006 conviction on fraud, racketeering and corruption charges.
Ryan’s lawyer, former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson told the Tribune that Ryan expressed “deep shame” for his actions in a formal commutation request last week. He reportedly wrote, “My failings have brought humiliation upon my family, cost me my reputation and name, brought financial ruin to me and my wife, and worst of all, caused me to be away from Lura Lynn when, in our twilight years, she needs me most. My heart is heavy knowing that I have hurt the public, my family, and my friends in failing to keep their trust. I failed them and for that I have profound remorse.”
Former prosecutors and a juror told the Tribune they disagree with Durbin and believe Ryan should serve his time.
“I think that once again politicians are getting special treatment because of who they are, and that’s not how it should be,” former juror Denise Peterson is quoted saying.
