Dec 12, 2008 3:52 pm US/Central
George Ryan Apologizes To Public
Some, However, Are Skeptical Of The Convicted Official's Motives
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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George Ryan seen leaving the Original Pancake House in the Gold Coast with his wife Lura Lynn, on their way to the federal prison camp in Oxford, Wis.
CBS
There were words of apology Friday from convicted former Gov. George Ryan, who hopes for an early release from prison. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole explains why some call the apology too little, too late.
It was a big about-face for the former governor. It was written at Ryan's prison in Terre Haute, Ind., given to his son Thursday and delivered to his attorney, former Gov. James R. Thompson.
Thompson said it's proof Ryan has had time to reflect on his life and is a changed man. Critics say he's lobbying for President Bush to grant him clemency.
Even on the night before he left for prison, Ryan was still proclaiming his innocence. But in his letter of apology this week Ryan wrote these words:
"I must say something that I have known in my heart has been a long time coming ... I truly believed in my service to the people, but it was less than my best and for that I am sorry."
"You are free to read this with all the cynicism you want -- if people do that, I hope they are not the same people who have been demanding an apology," Thompson told reporters.
Thompson released the three-paragraph letter Friday afternoon. In it, Ryan, who has served 13 months of a 6 ½-year sentence for corruption, goes on to say "I want to make things right in my heart, with my family, and with those that I have hurt."
The federal prosecutor who worked to convict Ryan doesn't believe he deserves to be released but accepts the apology.
"It's late, it's late, but I don't know if it means it's worthless," Patrick Collins said.
Attorney Joe Power called the letter a "last desperate attempt" by Ryan to get free. He represents the Willis family. Their six children were killed in a crash caused by a truck driver with an illegal commercial license obtained while Ryan was secretary of state. The incident sparked the scandal of bribes for licenses that led to the governor's downfall.
Taking responsibility for the tragedy for the first time Ryan continues, saying "My heart has and always will go out to the Willis family. They, like all the people of Illinois, deserved far better than I gave them."
"I think he certainly should apologize to the family, and he should have done that long ago," Power said. "And he should have expressed remorse, and he didn't."
Ryan's former prosecutor also says granting him clemency against the backdrop of the Blagojevich saga sends the wrong message about how seriously corruption offenses should be regarded.
As Ryan's petition for clemency became public, he was criticized by prosecutors for a lack of regret. The timing of his apology Friday continues to raise their suspicions.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois also has asked Bush to commute Ryan's sentence.
Contributing: Associated Press
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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