By Associated Press
Chicago, IL – Former Illinois Governor George Ryan says he won't agree to a plea bargain in the federal corruption charges against him. Ryan entered an innocent plea in federal court Tuesday and later said he is innocent of charges that he took payoffs, gifts and vacations when he was secretary of state and governor.
"I want to respond to the almost six years of the abuse of my family and my friends that I have endured while the federal government has torn apart my personal life with the intrusive and overbearing investigation," Ryan said in a statement to reporters following his court appearance. "Therefore, I will not plea bargain,".
The indictment against Ryan and his lobbyist friend Larry Warner could send them to prison for years. Warner allegedly collected at least $3.1 million through his insider status with Ryan. Warner pleaded innocent last Friday.
To hear Ryan's entire statement, click here ---> 