Feds say they’ll fight former Ill. Gov. Ryan’s attempts to get released from prison early

US to fight early release of ex-Ill. gov. Ryan

CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors say they will oppose former Illinois Gov. George Ryan’s attempts to be released early from prison.

Prosecutors said at a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago that they don’t agree that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling curtailing anti-fraud laws applies to Ryan’s 2006 corruption conviction.

Attorneys for the former Republican governor have filed a motion seeking to have parts of that conviction overturned.

Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer has given prosecutors four weeks to file a response to the motion. She set a Nov. 1 court date for arguments.

The 76-year-old Ryan is serving a more than six-year sentence and is scheduled for release in 2013.