George "Soprano" Ryan

The jury in the case against former IL. Governor George Ryan has started deliberating his case. Ryan, a Republican, also gained international recognition for commuting all the sentences of death row inmates before leaving office. Unfortunately, these 22 charges make it hard to compliment him on the commuted sentences;

THE CHARGES

The 22 charges against former Gov. George Ryan and Larry Warner:

Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy -- Ryan and Warner. They are charged with using Ryan's public offices to run a criminal enterprise that enriched Warner and provided a "flow of benefits" to Ryan.

Counts 2-10: Mail fraud -- all apply to Ryan, all but 6 and 10 apply to Warner. They are charged with using the U.S. mail to send checks for rigged government leases or contracts that enriched Warner or other Ryan friends.

Counts 11-13: Making false statements to the FBI -- Ryan. He is charged with lying to the FBI in three interviews.

Count 14: Attempted extortion -- Warner. He is charged with telling a state contractor to hire him as a lobbyist for $5,000 a month or lose his state contract.

Counts 15-16: Money laundering -- Warner. He is charged with using a company to hide his profit from state contracts.

Count 17: Structuring -- Warner. He is charged with withdrawing money in multiple $9,500 amounts to avoid triggering the notification of federal authorities that comes with a $10,000 withdrawal.

Counts 18-22: Tax fraud -- Ryan. He is charged with underpaying taxes from 1995 through 1998.