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Tribune uncovers more alleged Hastert victims

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For months, federal authorities have hinted at the motive behind the hush-money payments former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has admitted to making: the sexual abuse of a teenage boy when Hastert was still a suburban high school teacher and wrestling coach.

But now, a Tribune investigation has uncovered new details of the case — at least four people have made what law enforcement sources say are credible allegations of sexual abuse against Hastert. […]

Hastert is alleged to have sexually abused the teens identified by the Tribune when he was a teacher and coach at Yorkville High School in the far southwest suburbs, decades before he became the longest-serving Republican speaker. Some of the alleged conduct, which prosecutors have not detailed, might come to light this week when prosecutors are expected to file sentencing memorandums. […]

In a small town where the Tastee Freez was a gathering place for local teens, Hastert taught many siblings of the alleged victims and knew most of their parents on a first-name basis. Each of the alleged victims identified by the Tribune had their struggles. Yet they all kept quiet about their hometown’s favorite son and the inappropriate sexual contact that they alleged he had with them when they were high school students and he was in a position of trust.

I felt physically ill reading that story. Just disgusting and disturbing.

* Meanwhile…

Three weeks before Dennis Hastert faces sentencing on hush-money charges, his lawyers laid out their reasons for probation in a court filing Wednesday that says the former U.S. House speaker is “profoundly sorry” for the harm he caused others decades ago.

The carefully worded filing suggests Hastert’s attorneys will likely have to walk a fine line when he is sentenced April 27 by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin.

While Hastert feels remorse for those he has harmed, his lawyers said, they stopped short of acknowledging accusations he sexually abused students when he was a teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School. In fact, they singled out his teaching and coaching background for praise, saying he chose that career path to “make a difference in the lives of young people.”

They also contended that Hastert had “reshaped his life” many years ago.

Whatever.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:52 am

Comments

These predators who rely on their prominent positions of trust….. it’s terribly frightening.

And the silence for so long is baffling. I know it’s common, I just don’t understand it.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:02 am
I don’t think one can be “profoundly sorry” for something they won’t acknowledge. The only things that makes my skin crawl more than Hastert are his attorneys. I feel the need for a shower.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:04 am
“And the silence for so long is baffling. I know it’s common, I just don’t understand it.”

A lot plays into this dynamic. Mostly it’s fear and embarrassment. Because Hastert held such a powerful position the victims probably felt they wouldn’t be believed or that the blame would blow back on them. Then when you have a male adult assaulting a male child, the child can question their sexual identity. They mostly go through life scared, hurt, and confused.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:07 am
Yes, he certainly made a BIG difference in the lives of those young people, didn’t he. Sick Man.

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:08 am
=I don’t think one can be “profoundly sorry” for something they won’t acknowledge.=

Absolutely. I think he’s confusing being ‘profoundly embarrassed’ or ‘profoundly afraid of the consequences’ with ‘profoundly sorry’

Comment by Century Club Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:13 am
If he’d not apparently been an predator in a position of trust, countless things would’ve been named for him in Kendall County and the surrounding area. Now they will keep his name and legacy hidden. I’ve even heard people say that the “Hassert Boulevard” should be re-named, even though its namesake is the Hassert family of the western suburbs instead of the ex-congressman.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:15 am
Party of individual responsibility.

Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:17 am
“make a difference in the lives of young people.”

Differences he refuses to acknowledge.

His lawyers also claim: “the humiliation and shame brought by the indictment itself were punishment enough.”

No, he’s NOT the victim here.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
=Absolutely. I think he’s confusing being ‘profoundly embarrassed’ or ‘profoundly afraid of the consequences’ with ‘profoundly sorry’=

Nope. He’s only profoundly “sorry” he got caught.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:21 am
I noted that Hastert’s lawyers are suggesting that the embarrassment he has received and the damage to his reputation are punishment enough. (They even reference the removal of his portrait in the US Capitol.) Sounds like they want special treatment because he is a former powerful figure.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:24 am
Makes the GOP house page scandal even darker.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:29 am
From the Trib article: “He just looked at me and turned around and went to his car. It was silence then and silence now.”

Enough of the silence. This should all come out into the light if Hastert really want’s compassion from the court. Own up to it and own the consequences as well.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:30 am
I have zero sympathy, zero. Hearing them say how is life has been devastated his friends abandoned him. Tough.

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:36 am
Candidly, the judge has to decide a sentence for Hastert’s structuring of withdrawals. I’m not sure the purpose of the structuring will even be given consideration. (Not that it shouldn’t be.)

As an aside, structuring of withdrawals and deposits takes place nearly every day in this state.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:41 am
I hope the judge throws the book at him. I want the judge to show the kids there is hope for them in reporting their attackers no matter how important their attacker’s job is.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:47 am
Here is the sad reality: the reason why guys like Hastert get away with this for so long and elevate into positions of exceptional political power in national government is because they are easy to blackmail. This supposed secret of Hastert has been an open secret in Kendall county for three decades. Do you really think the GOP powers that be (the oligarchs and defense contractors that control the national GOP) didn’t know of these rumors and want to have a flawed blackmailable person as the Speaker of the House ? Politics is not bean bag. At the national level involving trillions of dollars it is about controlling votes and favors - using a combination of graft and blackmail. House of Cards is probably cartoonish compared to reality.

Comment by Kendall County Redneck Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:49 am
I feel like the US Attorney is bending over backwards to extend niceties and favors to Hastert that the run of the mill child abuser would never receive.
Please protect the victims not the abusers.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:50 am
–This supposed secret of Hastert has been an open secret in Kendall county for three decades. –

Please. And people kept voting for him? And no Democrat thought to spill the beans?

If you’ll recall, Hastert ended up as Speaker because Newt and Livingston had their infidelity issues revealed during the Clinton impeachment.

Hastert got the gig because he supposedly had no skeletons in his closet.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:58 am
Downstate @ 10:41- I’m not sure the purpose of the structuring will even be given consideration. –

Further down in the article, the Trib details that the judge pushed back the sentencing hearing to account for the schedule of Individual D. Individual D is a confirmed victim who has been anonymous, but is considering stepping forward to read a victim impact statement at the sentencing. The judge specifically said “If Individual D wants to come in and talk about being a victim of sexual abuse, he’s entitled to do so because that informs my decision about the history and characteristics of the defendant.” Individual A was the recipient of the illegal structures payments, not D. So it would appear the judge will consider the purpose.

Interestingly, the Tribune also says that the Hastert team actually reached out to Individual D for a letter that would assist in mitigating his sentence. That’s what prompted D to consider coming forward and shedding his anonymity at the sentencing. A move like that just goes to show Hastert isn’t sorry for what he did - he’s sorry he got caught.

Comment by Notorious RBG Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:01 am
He needs time by himself for many years to really think about what he did. This makes me sick and to know people knew this, makes me sicker.

Comment by DownState Paul Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:04 am
“Party of individual responsibility.” Self proclaimed party of family values.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:05 am
This is, indeed, sickening.

Who knew this, and when?

Comment by illini97 Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:08 am
–“Party of individual responsibility.” Self proclaimed party of family values.–

C’mon, party has nothing to do with this.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:11 am
Notorious,
Thanks for the perspective. Don’t disagree with your points, but the statement from the judge can be read two ways

“If Individual D wants to come in and talk …. that informs my decision about the history and characteristics of the defendant”

Character of defendant is significant, but it’s for sentencing on the structuring. (Don’t get me wrong. I’m an avowed Republican, but no fan of Hastert.)

Imagine if this was a murderer that beat a rap due to a technicality, and was embezzling funds to repay his attorney. He’s got to be sentenced on the embezzlement, not the murder.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:17 am
=Candidly, the judge has to decide a sentence for Hastert’s structuring of withdrawals. I’m not sure the purpose of the structuring will even be given consideration. (Not that it shouldn’t be.)=

I agree but this wasn’t an innocent mistake. It was done to conceal conduct. I think that’s what Durkin was getting at if you look at his comments. The conduct which prompted the structuring does have some relevance in considering a sentence. At the same time he is being punished for structuring and not his other actions.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:19 am
Shouldn’t people in positions of power and trust be held to a higher standard?

Comment by George Washington Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:19 am
Kendall County Redneck - +1000

Comment by West Sider Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:19 am
He should be in prison for life.

These ARE serious crimes.

Also, I agree that this has nothing to do with political parties. I am disgusted at what he got away with for so long. It is high time that he face the true consequences of his actions.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:22 am
===This supposed secret of Hastert has been an open secret in Kendall county for three decades.===

Sorry, but if that’s true, it never made it as an open secret in Oswego, given the time I’ve lived out here.

I mean, if it’s open, I would’ve stumbled upon it fairly easy.

To the post,

Sickening and tragic for the victims.

Admitting nothing makes me even more angry at Hastert thinking he can point to his admitting to “something”, but points to specifics of a life as reason for leniency. Thats wrong.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:25 am
Throw him in jail. His conduct was unforgivable. And when lawyers make statements of sorrow, it is inherently BS. Yes, we know it’s what the lawyers and PR people tell you. But until it comes out of his mouth on camera with a victim present, it’s all BS.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:25 am
“Each of the alleged victims identified by the Tribune had their struggles. Yet they all kept quiet about their hometown’s favorite son and the inappropriate sexual contact that they alleged he had with them when they were high school students and he was in a position of trust.” Yet, Mr. Hastert has “reshaped his life.”

I can only wonder how well the lives of his victims would have turned out if Hastert had not reshaped their youth? I am certain they would be less troubled today.

Comment by Terry Salad Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:46 am
tar n feather him!

I echo the comments on him not being the victim. No acknowledgement of the actions yet a forced half apology is not sufficient. If it was an “open secret” this probably would’ve hit some news outlet at some point or have been used in a campaign ad.

Comment by Vegan Butcher Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:52 am
He should be in prison for life.

What he did was serious.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:56 am
Pedophiles cannot be cured. They are wired that way. So while the lawyers spin that this happened decades ago, how do we know it stopped when he left the high school?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:10 pm
“We must continue to be proactive warding off pedophiles and other creeps who want to take advantage of our children,” said Dennis Hastert. Hastert went on to emphasize the importance of sending “a strong message to the most heinous of criminals who prey upon our children — you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/dennis-hastert-before-the-fall-118859

What a piece of work.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:14 pm
===”While Hastert feels remorse for those he has harmed, his lawyers said, they stopped short of acknowledging accusations he sexually abused students when he was a teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School. In fact, they singled out his teaching and coaching background for praise, saying he chose that career path to “make a difference in the lives of young people.”===

For this I hope the judge gives him the maximum possible sentence. Not only is he still trying to deny what he did, he’s claiming his work as a teacher and a coach, when he did these horrible things, should be praised.

It’s like the man who killed his parents asking for leniency because he’s an orphan.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:19 pm
The upcoming sentencing is for hiding the payoff money, not for the sexual abuse. The statute of limitations ran out on those incidents, didn’t it?

If this isn’t proof that our criminal justice system as well as national government are seriously broken, I don’t know what is.

Reminds me of the decades-long coverup of sexual abuse in the Catholic church. How DO the powerful get away with it?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:25 pm
Jail—for life

Comment by Belle Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:25 pm
“Just the facts mam” Without all the hype being JDH is being sentenced for illegal bank withdrawals and lying about it. The other issues are not what the judge is looking at. All that is for another day another trial.

Comment by Joe Friday Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:25 pm
==JDH is being sentenced for illegal bank withdrawals and lying about it. The other issues are not what the judge is looking at.==

He lied to cover up the fact that he’s a serial sexual predator of minors. The judge is correct in allowing his former victims a chance to speak.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:40 pm
I agree with Wensecia and others. The sentence should only be in reference to the subject of he trial, but if there were any noble motive behind the withdrawals, it should be considered to mitigate the sentence. Likewise, if the motive was yuck-o, that should also be considered as an aggravating factor.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:11 pm
=The other issues are not what the judge is looking at. All that is for another day another trial.= Yes and no. Clearly the judge is considering the circumstances behind these payments and the history that led to them. The fact that the sentencing hearing was rescheduled to accommodate individual D makes that clear. Unfortunately there will be no another day or another trial for these crimes.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:13 pm
== Pedophiles cannot be cured. They are wired that way. ==

This is partially true, but Hastert is probably not a pedophile.

He is an alleged abuser, rapist, and predator. That’s plenty.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:43 pm
That is all he is; alleged abuser rapist and predictor. What he is is an admitted money launder guilty of taking his own money out for a use blackmail? Guilt? Or whatever . Yes his alleged victims should testify at sentencing since that goes to character. And since the Feds are so concerned about what we do with money did the victim pay income tax on the money.
Hastert is scum but this smacks of going after Martha Stweart for lying to the FBI

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 2:35 pm
I feel kind of bad for Hastert’s former staffers. Some of them had relied on his standing for their livelihood and there have been consequences for their loyalty and years of services to him.
But I feel horrible for the victims and their families and hope Hastert gets some jail time.

Comment by Del Avery Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 2:54 pm
===this smacks of going after Martha Stweart for lying to the FBI===

Did you even read the Tribune article? And when Individual D’s statement is read at sentencing, my guess is you’ll regret trying to minimize Hastert’s crimes.

Tell me, DuPage Saint, who were Martha Stewart’s victims again?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 2:56 pm
In the crime he is actually charged with, who is the victim?

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 4:16 pm
You can’t separate the crime he pled guilty to from the question of why he did the crime. That is why the judge is allowing statements from the people who claim he abused them when he was a teacher/coach.

Judge Durkin has reason to believe the statements from these people are relevant to Hastert’s sentence. So the judge is indicating Individuals A, B, C and D were victims of Hastert. Why else are these statement being allowed during sentencing for the crime he actually pled guilty to?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 4:33 pm
We should be concerned that Hastert may still be a predator and a danger to other young people. Maybe he needs to be watched closely so others won’t become his victims in the future.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 4:54 pm
Illegal withdrawals to cover up past crimes, then lying to the FBI to continue the coverup of these crimes?

How are the victims of the crimes Hastert illegally tried to conceal not relevant to the sentencing? Did not Hastert by refusing to tell the feds the truth about the withdrawals open this door to their testifying? Remember, he did plead guilty to this crime, rather than face a trial, so he’s not denying their claims.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 4:57 pm
Yes these victims statements are absolutely relevant to his sentencing as Judge Durkin said it goes to character and prior bad acts. Just as the defense attorney will bring up all the good he allegedly did. So yes it is relevant but he is not being sentenced on these acts. All in all I bet he does not do more than 60 days if that. So yes the statute on child abuse should be changed especially if you are paying someone to keep quiet or are in a position of authority or power.

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 5:25 pm
At least so far no one in Hastert’s camp has resorted to using the phrase “mistakes were made”….

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:50 pm
I teach in a law school, & my interest here is just how wide/large the conspiracy of knowing silence was…

Comment by The Historian Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:06 pm