Pawnbroker now wants to be Illinois gov

CHICAGO, May 3 (UPI) -- Scott Lee Cohen, who withdrew as a candidate for lieutenant governor after winning the primary, says he will run as an independent for Illinois governor.

The millionaire pawnbroker won the Democratic primary for the state's No. 2 job but withdrew after domestic abuse allegations and his relationship with a prostitute were unearthed by the media. Cohen also admitted using steroids, allegedly failed to make child-support payments and has been named in dozens of lawsuits involving back taxes.

Cohen said he decided to run because he's tired of waste and mismanagement in government. He also said he wants to change the business climate, saying Illinois has few incentives to offer businesses, WBBM-AM, Chicago, reported.

Cohen surprised party leaders by winning the Feb. 2 primary. He was replaced on the ticket by Sheila Simon, the daughter of former Illinois Sen. Paul Simon.