Keep Ryan records closed, judge says

[Freddie Stubbs]

Son's interests override public's in referee's view

By Liam Ford and David Mendell
Tribune staff reporters
Published June 4, 2004

A California court referee Thursday recommended keeping sealed documents in U.S. Senate candidate Jack Ryan's divorce file, saying the interests of Ryan's son trump constitutional rights and the right to public access to court records.

The report by Isabel R. Cohen, a retired family law judge, also sided with a judge's earlier proposal to unseal a number of documents in Ryan's 1999 divorce from actress Jeri Ryan but recommended fully unsealing only 10 of at least 43 documents sealed in the file.

Cohen's report does nothing to clarify the substance of the documents under seal. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Schnider now will have to decide whether to adhere to the report issued by Cohen or make a different ruling in the case. The report comes as Ryan, down in the polls and smarting from recent flattering treatment of Democratic opponent Barack Obama in the national press, is fighting back with a Friday night fundraiser headlined by Vice President Dick Cheney. Ryan and Obama are seeking to replace Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, who is not seeking re-election.

The records were sealed at Jack Ryan's request over objections from Jeri Ryan's attorneys. Following the Tribune's motion to open the documents, however, Jeri Ryan has joined her former husband in asking that they remain sealed.

more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/west/chi-0406040134jun04,1,3742331.story

[benburch]

1. Group sex...

My sources say that the matter involves group sex, swinging, and some violence. I can understand why Ryan would want this covered up.