Ryan 'arrogant, unrepentant'

Your editorial on Nov. 8 about convicted former Gov. George Ryan was right on the mark. I am the visitor to which he said, "I got screwed." I was one of the investigators that attempted to uncover the bribes for license scheme.

Ryan and his crony Dean Bauer suppressed our investigations, including the one that was connected to the fatal crash in Milwaukee 13 years ago. I wanted to see, as Ryan faced six years in prison, if there was any remorse. Instead, I got an arrogant, unrepentant sociopath.

When I asked if he would apologize to the secretary of state employees he hurt and to the Willises, Ryan said, "Apologize for what?" His Tuesday night press conference was even more delusional, calling the federal investigation a "10-year ordeal" and stating he has a clear conscience.

What about the 13-year ordeal of Scott and Janet Willis of not having their six children in their lives anymore? What about the 12 nationwide highway fatalities directly related to Illinois' bribes for license scandal which Ryan denied he knew anything about? Like your editorial says, the cynics will believe that corruption in Illinois politics is so imbedded it will continue despite Ryan's conviction. This was not a case of business as usual, which his defense team often implied. This was a case about human lives. The voters must remember this the next time they choose a political leader.

State workers, likewise, need to speak out when they see their supervisors engaged in unlawful conduct. We all need to put cynicism aside and end the culture of corruption.

Ed Hammer

Orland Park