Nov 17, 2005 11:31 pm US/Central
Ryan Lashes Out Against Former U.S. Senator
by Mike Flannery
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
In a stunner, former Gov. George Ryan spoke out in the middle of his corruption trial, breaking his silence and lashing out at an important witness, former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm's little noticed 1996 campaign for president took center stage Thursday. On the witness stand but out of the hearing of the jury, Gramm suggested that Ryan's taking of thousands in consulting fees for the campaign after endorsing him for president was a form of prostitution.
Ryan was furious.
"I'm angry about some of the statements that were made today by former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm outside the presence of the jury. Mr. Gramm referred to me as a prostitute, and I really feel I absolutely have to respond to that," Ryan said.
"I worked very hard for Phil Gramm. I raised money for him, I got delegates for him put on the ballot to see if he could win in the primary. I was paid about $11,000 for that and as a consulting fee, and I earned every penny of it," he added.
"Mr. Gramm admitted in court today that the consulting fee had nothing to do with my decision to support him. If Senator Gramm wants to use the word prostitute perhaps he should look within," Ryan said.
Back when Gramm was an obscure candidate for president, Ryan endorsed him, becoming Gramm's Illinois chairman. Ryan gave himself, his family and top deputies what his lawyers call legitimate campaign consulting contracts.
Prosecutors called it $30,000 worth of extortion.
Gramm testified Thursday that he never knew Ryan pocketed thousands of dollars. Some of the money went to Ryan's four adult daughters.
Gramm claimed that through nine campaigns for Congress, U.S. Senate and the White House, he's had a policy of never paying a full-time elected official for an endorsement.
Gramm later conceded he had given contracts for services to some part-time state legislators.
With the jury out of the courtroom, Gramm at one point declared:
"It's the difference between love and prostitution...you're looking for evidence of support not looking to buy support...you don't pay people to be your friends."
The judge let the jury back in. Gramm continued as Ryan grew visibly angry.
"To buy someone's support would not only dilute your support, it would dilute your character...the kind of person you are," Gramm said.
Gramm admitted he and Ryan never spoke about the campaign budget. An aide to Gramm said Wednesday that Ryan's people told him the "consulting payments" were meant for legitimate expenses.
Gramm said he never got into the details back in 1995, he was too busy campaigning in several states.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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