Dennis Hastert is scheduled to appear in federal court for the first time this week to face charges that he lied to the FBI about money he was withdrawing from his bank account — allegedly to pay someone for their silence concerning past sexual misconduct.
The former congressman — who served as Speaker of the House longer than any Republican — is set to appear at 10 a.m. Thursday before U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin.
Federal prosecutors unveiled a stunning indictment last week against the former speaker, and a source said the longest-serving Republican to hold the post allegedly paid hush money to cover up sexual misconduct with a male student dating to his time as a coach and teacher in Yorkville.
There was no allegation of a financial relationship involving the second individual.
But a federal grand jury accused Hastert, 73, of agreeing to pay $3.5 million to someone referred to in court papers only as “Individual A” to cover up Hastert’s “past misconduct” against the individual. The indictment describes “Individual A” as someone who has lived in Yorkville and knew Hastert most of the individual’s life.
Hastert is accused of ultimately paying the individual $1.7 million, and he’s charged with withdrawing $952,000 in such a way as to avoid bank reporting requirements. He’s also charged with lying to the FBI, which began investigating the withdrawals in 2013. When agents asked the former speaker in December if he’d been withdrawing the money because he didn’t trust the banks, he allegedly said, “Yeah … I kept the cash. That’s what I’m doing.”
Hastert worked at Yorkville High School from 1965 to 1981. The school district issued a statement Friday saying it had no prior knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by Hastert.
The Plano resident locked in the votes to become U.S. House speaker on Dec. 19, 1998 amid the separate sex scandals of former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and former Rep. Bob Livingston, R-Louisiana. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Georgia had decided to resign soon after disappointing midterm results.
The public was not yet aware of it, but Gingrich had also been having an affair.
Contributing: Natasha Korecki
The former congressman — who served as Speaker of the House longer than any Republican — is set to appear at 10 a.m. Thursday before U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin.
Federal prosecutors unveiled a stunning indictment last week against the former speaker, and a source said the longest-serving Republican to hold the post allegedly paid hush money to cover up sexual misconduct with a male student dating to his time as a coach and teacher in Yorkville.
HUSH MONEY: Feds allege Hastert tried to cover up payments
NO NAME: Wheaton College removes Hastert (Class of ’64) name from public policy centerInvestigators identified — and then interviewed — at least one other alleged victim in the case against Hastert, according to the source familiar with the investigation. The second victim’s statements to investigators were critical to corroborating allegations of past sexual misconduct, the source said.
There was no allegation of a financial relationship involving the second individual.
But a federal grand jury accused Hastert, 73, of agreeing to pay $3.5 million to someone referred to in court papers only as “Individual A” to cover up Hastert’s “past misconduct” against the individual. The indictment describes “Individual A” as someone who has lived in Yorkville and knew Hastert most of the individual’s life.
Hastert is accused of ultimately paying the individual $1.7 million, and he’s charged with withdrawing $952,000 in such a way as to avoid bank reporting requirements. He’s also charged with lying to the FBI, which began investigating the withdrawals in 2013. When agents asked the former speaker in December if he’d been withdrawing the money because he didn’t trust the banks, he allegedly said, “Yeah … I kept the cash. That’s what I’m doing.”
Hastert worked at Yorkville High School from 1965 to 1981. The school district issued a statement Friday saying it had no prior knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by Hastert.
The Plano resident locked in the votes to become U.S. House speaker on Dec. 19, 1998 amid the separate sex scandals of former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and former Rep. Bob Livingston, R-Louisiana. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Georgia had decided to resign soon after disappointing midterm results.
The public was not yet aware of it, but Gingrich had also been having an affair.
Contributing: Natasha Korecki
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