Chicago businessman and close friend of Ryan
Role in Ryan case: Ryan’s co-defendant.
Result of Operation Safe Road: Indicted in 2002 on charges he improperly used his influence in the secretary of state’s office to benefit himself and others. Indicted again in 2003 on charges he illegally received $3 million in profits from secretary of state contracts and leases since 1991.
ROGER STANLEY
Former state senator, lobbyist and friend of Ryan
Role in Ryan case: Agreed to cooperate in the probe in return for a reduced prison term of 27 months; is expected to testify for the prosecution.
Result of probe: In 2003 admitted that he paid kickbacks to Udstuen to win state contracts and campaign business and that he took part in a payroll scam.
SCOTT FAWELL
Former top aide to Ryan in the secretary of state’s office, ex-chief executive officer of McPier
Role in Ryan case: Star witness against Ryan, currently serving a 6 1/2-year prison term. Agreed to cooperate to win a reduced sentence for his fiance and former aide, Alexandria Coutretsis, who has pleaded guilty twice in corruption probes.
Result of probe: Convicted in 2003 for diverting secretary of state resources to work on Ryan’s gubernatorial campaign. In 2004 pleaded guilty to rigging a multimillion-dollar contract to oversee McCormick Place expansion.
DONALD UDSTUEN
Ryan confidant and former Metra board member
Role in Ryan case: Allowed federal investigators to secretly record his telephone calls to Ryan; is expected to testify for the prosecution.
Result of probe: Pleaded guilty in 2002 to participating in a kickback scheme involving state contracts. In a separate scheme, admitted to taking about $380,000 in kickbacks from Warner.
ARTHUR “RON” SWANSON
Former state senator, lobbyist and friend of Ryan
Role in Ryan case: Declined to cooperate in the probe but is expected to testify for the prosecution.
Result of probe: Pleaded guilty in 2004 to lying to a federal grand jury about pocketing a $50,000 lobbying fee to win a state prison in southern Illinois, knowing Ryan had already decided to place it there.
Source: U.S. attorney’s office, Tribune reports
