Former Rep. Hansen Out of Prison; Served 11 Months on Ethics Charge

Former U.S. Rep. George Hansen was released from prison Thursday after serving 11 1/2 months for an ethics law violation.

The Idaho Republican, pushing a cart holding boxes of notes and other belongings, was escorted from the minimum-security section of the Federal Correctional Institution to a reunion with his wife, Connie.

Hansen did not rule out a return to elective office. While he considers such a move, Hansen said, he will do political consulting work, give speeches and write a book about the injustices he said he suffered.

“There’s a story that needs to be told, and it’ll be out shortly,” Hansen said.

Hansen, 57, was convicted in 1984 of violating the federal Ethics in Government Act by failing to report $330,000 in personal loans and profits on commodities transactions as a member of Congress.

He was sentenced to 5 to 15 months and began serving his term in June, 1986, after appeals were exhausted. Hansen was paroled last December but was imprisoned again in April for violating the travel restrictions and financial reporting requirements of his parole.

As a seven-term congressman, Hansen fought government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Justice Department. He said he will continue to be outspoken, even though he believes his imprisonment was retaliation for his attacks on government.