Ex-Illinois governor handed 78-month prison sentence

CHICAGO, Sep 6 (Reuters) Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, promoted as a Nobel Peace Prize candidate for his vigorous opposition to capital punishment, was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison today for corrupt dealings while in office.

Ryan, 72, was convicted on April 18 of 18 counts of racketeering conspiracy, fraud and other offenses involving favoritism and kickbacks for state contracts and property leases that prosecutors said enriched Ryan and his friends.

REUTERS DH PM0234