Alan Drazek, a former political aide to Illinois Governor George Ryan, pleaded guilty to tax fraud today in a plea deal, a component of which is that he will testify against Gov. Ryan's former Chief of Staff Scott Fawell and Ryan's campaign committee, whose trial on charges they used "state employees and tax money to wage political campaigns going back to 1991" begins this week.

"Drazek is expected to get a reduced sentence of less than 10 months in return for his cooperation. A sentencing date wasn't immediately set."

"Ryan, a Republican leaving office Jan. 13, has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, although recent court papers said he knew of the destruction of documents to keep them out of the hands of federal agents."

Why do we put so much trust in cooperating individuals whose testimony is purchased with promises of leniency, a commodity far more precious than money?