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* From the US Attorney…
FORMER SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHARGED WITH STRUCTURING CASH WITHDRAWALS TO EVADE
CURRENCY TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENT TO THE FBICHICAGO — The former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was charged today with structuring the withdrawal of $952,000 in cash in order to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions over $10,000, and lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his withdrawals. The defendant, JOHN DENNIS HASTERT, 73, of Plano, Illinois, was charged with one count each of structuring currency transactions to evade Currency Transaction Reports and making a false statement to the FBI in an indictment returned by a federal Grand Jury. He will be ordered to appear for arraignment on a later date in U.S. District Court.
According to the indictment, in 2010, Hastert agreed to provide Individual A $3.5 million in order to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against Individual A. From 2010 to 2014, Hastert withdrew a total of approximately $1.7 million in cash from various bank accounts and provided it to Individual A. Beginning in approximately July 2012, Hastert started structuring his cash withdrawals in increments of less than $10,000 to evade the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (“CTRs”), which banks are required to file for cash withdrawals in excess of $10,000. In December of 2014, when questioned by the FBI regarding his structuring of cash withdrawals, Hastert falsely stated that he was keeping the cash.
The charges were announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert J. Holley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Stephen Boyd, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
Each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Block and Carrie Hamilton.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
* The complete indictment is here…
1. At times material to this indictment:
a. From approximately 1965 to 1981, defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT was a high school teacher and coach in Yorkville, Illinois. From approximately 1981 to 2007, defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT was an elected public official, including eight years as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. From approximately 2008 to the present, defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT has worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
b. Individual A has been a resident of Yorkville, Illinois and has known defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT most of Individual A’s life.
c. In or about 2010, Individual A met with defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT multiple times. During at least one of the meetings, Individual A and defendant discussed past misconduct by defendant against Individual A that had occurred years earlier.
d. During the 2010 meetings and subsequent discussions, defendant JOHN DENNIS HASTERT agreed to provide Individual A $3.5 million in order to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against Individual A.
e. Shortly thereafter, defendant began providing Individual A cash payments.
Oh, man, this doesn’t look good at all.
*** UPDATE *** Yeah, this does not look good…
Although the indictment specifies neither the “bad acts” nor the victims, sources said they could be from before Hastert, who is now a lobbyist in Washington, entered politics in 1980. [Emphasis added.]
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:13 pm
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crikey. $3.5M in hush money and lying to the Feds?
Comment by Toffee Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Do we have any idea what the misconduct against individual A was?
Comment by relocated Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:18 pm
That’s a lotta dough. Clearly wasn’t just a fender bender settlement
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:19 pm
I’m no math wiz, but $3.5mil withdrawn in $9k increments? That’s a lot of free lollipops and Tootsie Rolls.
Comment by Chicago Hack Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:20 pm
And the legend of Illinois politicians appears ready to grow……
Comment by Buster Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:20 pm
OMG
Not Denny
Comment by Surprised Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Never lie to the F.B.I.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Shock who?
Comment by SaveIL Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Sounds like he was being blackmailed by individual A
Comment by MurMan Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Out of left field.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:24 pm
Oswego William,
If ever questioned by the feds my response would be ” “.
Assert your right to remain silent.
Reading the indictment and the emphasis on his early government employment makes me suspect this is going to get very dark very quickly. I hope I’m wrong.
Comment by IrishPirate Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:25 pm
Fresh out of college, I volunteered on Denny’s first campaign - for state senator.
Apparently, Denny may have learned some unique skills since then.
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:25 pm
This looks like it could get really ugly.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:26 pm
Leaves for Congress a beloved, hardworking wrestling coach from a rural county. Comes back with $3.5M just to throw around.
Boy they sure pay those Congress folks well!
Yep, it’s that Chicago corruption ruining our state. /snark
Comment by walker Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm
I’m more shocked at the ability to withdraw $1.7 million over four years.
That’s a lot of dough to have on hand for distributions.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Yeah, key tip-off in the indictment is the inclusion of the terms “teacher” and “coach.”
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm
===I hope I’m wrong. ===
Me too, but why even mention the high school teaching job?
The feds are either trying to smear him or trying to strongly hint that we shouldn’t be outraged at the minor technicalities of the charges.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm
IrishPirate,
You can’t remain silent. That’s why you can’t lie;
They give you immunity for this, catch you on that.
Never lie to the “guys down the street”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:29 pm
Another tip-off: Individual A has known defendent since childhood.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:29 pm
Making false statements to the FBI and structuring are clearly crimes in the perverse federal system. Might he be the victim of the crime of extortion though and the feds are playing legal gotcha with a big fish politician?
Comment by Muscular Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:30 pm
I’m more interested in what the alleged misconduct was the precipitated the payments of this hush money.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:33 pm
Weird.
Comment by Bored Chairman Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:33 pm
Anyone want to buy a personally signed copy of his memoir?
Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:34 pm
To use a gambler’s term, the ‘tells’ are there. Afraid the “ick factor” will be high.
Comment by south side Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:34 pm
==Might he be the victim of the crime of extortion though and the feds are playing legal gotcha with a big fish politician?==
Most people who get prosecuted for crimes are also crime victims.
Let’s not shed too many tears on this particular one, eh?
Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Was the misconduct illegal misconduct?
Comment by Marty Funkhouser Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:35 pm
OW, just no.
You should remain silent when FBI comes to you.
The 5th is great.
Let your lawyer handle.
__________________
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
IrishPirate,
You can’t remain silent. That’s why you can’t lie;
They give you immunity for this, catch you on that.
Never lie to the “guys down the street”
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Break out those year books
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:36 pm
The mention of his pre-political career as a coach and teacher gives one that “sickening” feeling, as does the fact that Individual A has known Hastert “most of (his/her) life”.
Hastert is one of my least favorite politicians ever, and I don’t want to get banned, so I will leave it there for now.
Comment by Snucka Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:37 pm
I saw the headline and immediately thought of the land deal he was part of when the Prairie Parkway was being mapped out. He made $1.5 million on that one. Apparently that was legal enough.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:41 pm
I’m done commenting here. Time to sit back and see what comes out over the next few days.
I never liked “Denny” and his land deals raised lots of questions, but I’d be happy if this was only about deals like that.
Comment by IrishPirate Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:42 pm
- zonz -,
It doesn’t “work” that way with the FBI…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:43 pm
No guarantees, but I have a hunch Hastert COULD HAVE handled this series of payments within the law … had he hired, and been open with, a good lawyer AT THE VERY BEGINNING.
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:44 pm
If his misdeeds did occur before entering politics, he certainly was one lucky politician. He made it up to the highest level of national power without a hint of “personal” scandal.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Rich’s update mentions victims so was this individual collecting money for more than one person? Not looking good for the former Speaker.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Telling the FBI that you don’t feel like talking to them can move you from “witness” to “suspect” in a big hurry.
Comment by Snucka Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Another proud moment from Illinois politicians! Thomas Gradel and Dick Simpson will have to update their book on Illinois corruption.
http://www.amazon.com/Corrupt-Illinois-Patronage-Cronyism-Criminality/dp/0252078551/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432849533&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=corrupt+illionois
Comment by Steve Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:46 pm
- zonz -,
If these “payments” are indeed hush money, and even if Hastert put Individual A on a payroll type structure to “wash” it, the premise of covering the alleged misconduct is still over the head of Hastert;
Today it’s a job, then a car, …
It’s never going away as a blackmail.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:47 pm
It’s not even a Friday to bury it…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:49 pm
I was an intern in his office. I always joked I was never molested like all the other congressional and presidential interns at the time.
But I guess I wasn’t his student. Disappointing, he obviously messed up big and compounded it by lying to the FBI. What a Dumb***.
Comment by Dudeman Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:52 pm
OW I think we’ll have to agree to disagree
Think of the worst case, where you’ve done something you know is wrong.
Now think of the case where you are as pure as an angel, er, you think you are anyway; or where you BELIEVE you are as pure as an angel, but you don’t know/understand federal criminal laws.
I could go on, with lots of scenarios on the continuum.
If the FBI hands you their evidence and says “talk to us”
…SHUT UP
If the FBI hands you -0- and tells you a story, and implores you “talk to us,” they are within their rights to be deceiving you
…so SHUT UP
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:57 pm
This is just turning my stomach. It sounds like this must have been the child of a family friend. What a terrible betrayal.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:02 pm
- zonz -,
With respect.
They ask you to come in, you don’t, “talk to my lawyer”
They give immunity, you still don’t talk, they move in, it rarely works out well.
When the FBI wants to talk to, it’s already too late.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:02 pm
Strictly speaking, if the structuring and lying to the FBI occurred between 2010 and 2014, and if the prior behavior that Denny is allegedly hushing up occurred before 1980, and if these incidents did not involve politics, then it isn’t political corruption. It’s like Dan Walker and his post-governor banking conviction.
Comment by James R. Anderson Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:05 pm
This looks bad, real bad.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:05 pm
wow. seems very ugly even before any full reveal. and could very well mean that there are people with painful memories and this will bring them up.
on the other hand, hey, at least it did not have to do with his government actions!
Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:06 pm
It is legal now, right?
Comment by Trans a.m. Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:06 pm
If you are willing to pay an “alleged” blackmailer millions of dollars, there has to be some significant “alleged” wrongdoing involved.
Otherwise, you would go to the Feds to report the blackmailer, right? That’s what Letterman did.
I have with met Denny a couple times over the years. I would be so disappointed to learn that he had such ugliness in his past.
We will all learn about it soon enough. Ugh.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:07 pm
Here is my question: why now?!
How long did the feds squat on this?
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:08 pm
OW. You’re mistaken. Feds show up at your front door at 9:15 pm. You’re relaxed, then a badge flashes in your face. Most people crumble and start talking. Best advice is to tell the FBI that you are going to go back inside and call your attorney, and wish them a good night.
Comment by Bored Chairman Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:09 pm
===How long did the feds squat on this?===
Check the update. The feds starting looking into the bank withdrawls in 2013. Looks like they found a trail leading to Individual A sometime after that. Based on a generous reading of the indictment, sounds like Individual A spilled the beans to the feds. Then they went to see Hastert last December. After that interview, it sure looks like it’s game over for the coach.
Innocent until proven guilty, as always. An indictment is not a conviction. Etc. Etc.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:11 pm
- Team Sleep -
My guess? The banking irregularities finally caught up to Hastert, the G asked why the withdrawals under the flagging amount, Hastert lied, opened the can of worms.
- Bored Chairman -,
The road is littered with those “thinking” they know the best way to handle FBI questions.
Ignoring, lying, or passing, those options rarely end well…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:12 pm
Interestin’
Newt tossed for ….
LA Rep tossed for …..
Denny makes it a trifecta
Comment by Anonin' Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:14 pm
Whatever the misconduct was–and there’s some heavy hints being dropped by the feds–it’s a good bet that criminal charges, for whatever reason, couldn’t have been brought. Otherwise, why hasn’t he been charged with a crime related to the misconduct? Illegal structuring of cash withdrawals sounds like it might be fairly weak sauce compared to the underlying misconduct. Which only builds the case: If he was, in fact, blackmailed, he should have consulted a lawyer, figured out the odds of being criminally charged, then, assuming he was safe from indictment, called the cops on the alleged blackmailer. At that point, he could have worked on a public statement to issue assuming whatever it was ever saw the light of day, or maybe even stopped cooperating with the cops after blowing the whistle on the blackmailer. No cooperation from the victim, no charges and it all goes away.
Just thinking out loud here.
Comment by More To The Story Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:16 pm
Is it blackmail if Hastert makes the offer instead of Individual A making the ask? This is Capone’s tax evasion.
Comment by GV Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:22 pm
Geez, why did he talk to the FBI; they already knew the truthful answers to the questions. That’s how that works.
I think we’ve all seen this movie before. But this one is very shocking. He’d be about the last one on my list.
But then again, there used to be others at the end of that list, too.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:22 pm
Assuming whatever the reason for these transactions involved breaking a law at the time, what’s the point of having statues of limitations if they can decide to squeeze you on technicalities 35 years later?
Comment by BobN Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:27 pm
I’m surprised it took this long. He was paying the hush money for a long time.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:27 pm
Sleep,
My guess is this has been awaiting the confirmation of the new AG, so she could sign off.
Denny WAS the Speaker and IMO could not be indicted w/o AG’s approval
_____________________
- Team Sleep - Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:08 pm:
Here is my question: why now?!
How long did the feds squat on this?
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:28 pm
What took the blackmailer so long to start demanding payment?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:30 pm
‘More to the Story’, three words: Statute of Limitations.
Not that I know what Hastert may have done…just something that might be relevant here.
Comment by RickG Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:30 pm
OW, I forgot but meant to include “with respect”
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:32 pm
Willie, the Fifth Amendment is invoked all the time with the FBI, especially by targets, which Hastert obviously is.
You can refuse to talk to them, just don’t be dumb enough to lie to them. Again, they already know the answers to the questions.
Tne FBI can’t grant immunity; a grand jury can to compel testimony.
But I don’t think immunity is a consideration here, as Hastert is the target of the prosecution.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:34 pm
The only way Hastert’s behavior makes sense is if
a) he feared prosecution b/c he committed a pre-1980 crime that has no statute of limitations, e.g., murder, or
b) he set up the payments NOT out of fear of prosecution but to preserve confidentiality about his past acts - - but in that case I’d guess that the feds now have him ONLY for the $ transfer offenses
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:37 pm
===You can refuse to talk to them, just don’t be dumb enough to lie to them. Again, they already know the answers to the questions.===
Thanks, that’s where I was going with this specific with Hastert, went way over my skis thereafter. Way over.
===Tne FBI can’t grant immunity; a grand jury can to compel testimony.
But I don’t think immunity is a consideration here, as Hastert is the target of the prosecution.===
My bad, on two fronts. Was too quick in my thoughts, yes, only the grand jury can grant immunity, apologies.
Also, yep, with Hastert as the target, until he found out he was the target…all moot
I’m wrong often.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:40 pm
47th - good catch on that. Between following the budget in the Senate and trying to figure out what exactly is happening in the Exec Committee, I failed to check the link. Still - if something funny was happening while he was in the Statehouse and then in Congress - my question about how long the ACTUAL investigation went on.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:48 pm
Inside baseball, perhaps, but note that Blago prosecutor Carrie Hamilton is also on this case.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:50 pm
OW, without going into lots of possibilities…
think “trust for the benefit of A”
It is every bit as reliable (for A) as DH “agreeing” that DH would pay A cash of $x each month, but DH doesn’t have to make a series of cash withdrawals; the trust pays A monthly or quarterly.
The potential problems with the trust (besides tax liability issues, which the cash payments were obviously intended to address) involve disclosure to members of Hastert’s family.
________________
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
- zonz -,
If these “payments” are indeed hush money, and even if Hastert put Individual A on a payroll type structure to “wash” it, the premise of covering the alleged misconduct is still over the head of Hastert;
Today it’s a job, then a car, …
It’s never going away as a blackmail.
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:53 pm
To clarify, the purpose for the payments, while maybe not an illegal act against a “victim,” could definitely be embarrasing at best, career ending at worst. Lying to the feds is illegal and could send him to jail. Either way, he’s in trouble. I dont wish this on anybody, but it sounds like this could get ugly. Also, innocent till proven guilty, but I think this Zac Fardon’s first big public indictment. I can’t imagine there’s much flimsiness in there. Again, dont lie. They know the answers. Talk to your lawyer.
Comment by Anon Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 5:56 pm
Individual A probably made a deal. Doubt taxes were paid on this money. DH will plea. Who wants this witness. Bad enough now.
Comment by south side Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:11 pm
If Hastert is a lobbyist, as reported, and earns — let’s say — $1.5 million per annum, we can understand why he was choosing to keep a past wrong quiet by paying Mr/Ms A rather than doing a “Letterman.”
Beyond that I get into problems of speculation upon speculation.
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:13 pm
And wait for the tapes.
Comment by south side Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:14 pm
Come on Denny! Please let some of the money be traced to the new governor!
Comment by Anon 2 Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:14 pm
First of all, innocent until proven guilty.
Secondly, a lot of hyperbole and guessing with little if any basis. If true, it could be a lot of different things - all of them bad. Why don’t we wait and see what comes out.
Comment by 1776 Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:19 pm
- zonz -The potential problems with the trust (besides tax liability issues, which the cash payments were obviously intended to address) involve disclosure to members of Hastert’s family.” A trust doesn’t have to have the family in on it. It can be a trust with a lawyer as trustee. You might be thinking of a will.
Comment by Tom Joad Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:21 pm
The only question at this point is if he does time.
Comment by Etown Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:26 pm
Has anyone heard of Rita Crundwell?
Comment by Helen Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:30 pm
He spoke to state workers about ethics after blago was arrested.
Comment by lol Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:32 pm
Tom Joad-
I can’t be sure obviously, but Mrs. DH (or THEIR accountant or lawyer, with fiduciary obligations to Mrs. DH as well as DH)
…might notice if their four accounts worth $8 million were suddenly worth $4.5 million because DH moved $3.5 million into a trust for Mr/Ms A.
That’s what I meant when I said “potential problems with the trust involve disclosure to members of Hastert’s family.”
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:32 pm
The whole issue of “making false statements” to the FBI is very interesting. If the FBI talks to you twice and anything from the second conversation does not match exactly with the first conversation, they can (and often do) present a charge of “making false statements” as a kind of foot in the door threat to get people to open up. A case of this was discussed on This American Life a few years ago. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/471/the-convert It is a real eye-opener to see how the FBI can use your statements against you if they want to.
With respect to this case (Hastert) it looks to be much more clear-cut. He told them he kept the money for himself, but he did not.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:37 pm
$3.5 million - give me a break. This indictment/charge has got to have legs - the Feds would not have charged if there were not a basis for doing so.
Comment by illini Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:38 pm
Schock and now Hastert. There is an agenda. Use the Google on Hastert. Allegations have been leveled years ago. I never knew. I liked the beige foods served at White Fence Farm, though.
Comment by The Left Banke Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:56 pm
meanwhile the actual Speaker
ABC7 Exclusive … Madigan says he’s on track to pass spending plan with $3B shortfall http://abc7chicago.com/746737/
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 6:58 pm
Cue Nelson Muntz….
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 7:11 pm
Sad times in the Land of Lincoln.
Comment by southwest Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 7:28 pm
Politico reports they knew Denny was in deep yogurt last week. They called him to ask about it and he said he had no knowledge of an indictment or “IRS trouble.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 7:29 pm
When being interviewed by the Feds, just leaving out information can get someone indicted. Of course law enforcement can and does lie to citizens all the time.
Comment by nona Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 7:29 pm
In light of the Schock resignation and the Hastert indictment, perhaps our GOP friends who bellow about “Chicago Democrat corruption” will recognize that corruption is and always has been bipartisan. Neither party can credibly claim the moral high ground, despite what hyper-partisans would have us believe.
Comment by nona Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 7:32 pm
Best case scenario? Child out of wedlock?
Comment by Mittuns Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 8:22 pm
=Come on Denny! Please let some of the money be traced to the new governor!=
Stay classy
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 8:25 pm
boy or girl?
of age or underage?
lurid details?
Comment by just thinin' Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 8:56 pm
This sounds like a story that I’d call too far fetched if it were on House of Cards.
Comment by Quizzical Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 9:14 pm
Almost can’t believe this. He is the last person I ever would have suspected of anything.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 9:27 pm
Count 1 is BS - a non-responsive answer to a fed’s question should not be (and I don’t think will be found to be) a crime.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 9:49 pm
I mean, there is an ellipsis in Hastert’s statement that the government contends is the criminal act for count 1. Come on!
Comment by Anonlaw Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 9:52 pm
Looking for Mike Huckabee to write a Facebook post supporting Denny, like he did for Josh Duggar.
Comment by See the forest Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 10:02 pm
wow. google from almost 10 years ago tells lots about his personal life and that of some others who got into problems back then. and in some very prominent blogs, not obscure finds. also that Hastert tried to undermine Title IX. jerk.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 10:44 pm
Oh, come on, the indictment states that he was a high school teacher and coach so that must be relevant; whatever he did was not a federal crime because that was one of the things the FBI looked for and didn’t find, so it happened when he was at Yorkville HS; he has known Individual A for “most of Individual A’s life” so he knew A at Yorkville HS when A was young, the extortion involves something he did that was harmful to Individual A, and there is no underlying federal crime for which he can (still) be prosecuted.
And Hastert was willing to pay $3.5M and violate federal laws involving financial transactions, that he must have voted for when in Congress, so while not indictable it must be VERY embarrassing.
Do I have to paint you a picture?
Comment by Harry Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 10:45 pm
interesting lawsuit from his college wrestling friend referred to in the Trib story, J David John. alleging Hastert used his public office for personal gain but seems that the college wrestling friend feels wronged somehow. wonder what he has to say now.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 11:03 pm
I feel so much safer knowing the feds are watching our bank accounts.
Comment by Cletus Thursday, May 28, 15 @ 11:23 pm
In 2010 Hastert’s son, Ethan, launched a campaign for Dennis’ old seat. It’s easy to assume Individual A is someone outside the family, but maybe he/she is closer than one might think. Just saying.
Comment by Illinoisan Friday, May 29, 15 @ 12:24 am
sex abuse scandals can stay bottled up for decades
lots of stories now about this current exposé:
A new report commissioned by concerned alumni of Horace Mann School, an elite private school in New York City, tells an extraordinary story of the sexual abuse of scores of students over decades by teachers, coaches, department heads, a headmaster, a school chaplain and a dean of guidance.
WaPo example:
An extraordinary story of alleged sex abuse of students at elite private school over decades http://wpo.st/EhNJ0
many more:
https://goo.gl/3h3ZgS
Comment by zonz Friday, May 29, 15 @ 1:59 am
It’s worth noting this was personal money presumably used to cover up a personal embarrassment, not public money used for public corruption purposes.
But that detail will be lost in the coming days I’m sure.
Comment by Just Me Friday, May 29, 15 @ 2:01 am
As several others have noted, scandal not without a lot of hints in the news over the years; I’m only surprised they caught him.
Comment by Weltschmerz Friday, May 29, 15 @ 6:06 am
Shocked and saddened here - I always held Speaker Hastert in high regard. I can read between the lines too but I’ll give the benefit of the doubt until more facts are revealed.
Another black eye for Illinois politics.
Comment by Stones Friday, May 29, 15 @ 6:57 am
GOOD GODFREY! I hope this does not affect DH’s ‘income’ as a lobbyist. I hope he’s still got plenty of dough to ‘throw around’ at this ‘altitude’. I hope he has some bank accounts, somewhere, to keep him going at the ‘altitude’ he’s accustomed/ENTITLED to. LIFE is just not treating him RIGHT! He DESERVES better! What’s that ‘Deep Throat” told Woodward? “Follow the MONEY”. What’s that Nixon said on the ‘tapes’? “We could PAY THE MONEY, but that would be WRONG”. Wink, wink.
Comment by Conusone Friday, May 29, 15 @ 7:15 am
Just Me - “cover up a personal embarrassment”. Or cover up a crime though the statute of limitations may have expired.
Comment by Midway Gardens Friday, May 29, 15 @ 7:35 am
=a non-responsive answer to a fed’s question should not be (and I don’t think will be found to be) a crime.=
It seems responsive to me. “I kept the cash” was his response.
Comment by Snucka Friday, May 29, 15 @ 7:44 am
it’s all about the information from individual A. If Hastert is convinced that it will come out, plea time here we come. If his lawyers can keep out that past acts information, take a chance with a jury and hope that there is one wrestling fan who will not convict.
based on what one can find on the Google, he’s covering up sex crimes.
Comment by Amalia Friday, May 29, 15 @ 8:00 am
Met Hastert once years ago at a fundraiser for another candidate in Chicago. Walked away from the experience convinced he was a perverse and creepy man.
Comment by JohnDoe Friday, May 29, 15 @ 8:52 am
Even if the response was ‘non responsive’ you can’t structure to avoid the 10K limit….
Comment by OneMan Friday, May 29, 15 @ 9:26 am