CHICAGO - Former Gov. George Ryan, who drew international praise when he commuted the sentences of everyone on Illinois' death row, was convicted of racketeering and fraud Monday in a corruption scandal that ended his political career in 2003.

Ryan, 72, sat stone-faced as the verdict was read and afterward promised he would appeal.

"I believe this decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service that I provided to the people of Illinois over 40 years, and needless to say I am disappointed in the outcome," he said.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Ryan's actions represented "a low water mark of public service."

"For a brief moment, I'd just like to remind all of you out there that the charges involved were very serious and the corrupt conduct was very disturbing," Fitzgerald said.

Robert Grant, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago office, said the verdict emphasizes that there no one is above the law.

"I hope this case begins the end of political prostitution that seems to have been evident in the state of Illinois and begins a resurrection of honest government and services in this state that so many people have demanded," Grant said.

Ryan faces up to 20 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy charge alone, the most serious against him in the 22-count indictment. The jury found him guilty of all counts, including fraud, obstructing the Internal Revenue Service and lying to the FBI. Sentencing was set for Aug. 4.