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Ryan Lawyers Appealing Ex-Governor's Conviction
CHICAGO (AP) -- Lawyers for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan are trying again to get part of his conviction overturned.

They argued before a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that prosecutors didn't prove Ryan took a bribe in violation of honest services laws.

They say any contracts or favors Ryan gave out were based on friendship, not in exchange for gifts and vacations.

They say Ryan remains imprisoned unconstitutionally because jurors were told they didn't have to find a specific quid pro quo. The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled in a different case that the honest services laws were too broad.

Prosecutors argue that Ryan's case clearly involved bribery and kickbacks.
Ryan has served 3{ years of a 6{-year sentence for corruption.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
05 31 11 by Newsroom
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