Hastert Cops Plea
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The Chicago Tribune reports that
Lawyers for Dennis Hastert said Thursday they have reached a deal with prosecutors for the former U.S. House speaker to plead guilty to charges he agreed to make $3.5 million in hush-money payments to cover up wrongdoing from years ago.
Both sides appeared at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin.The plea negotiations were revealed in a hearing late last month when John Gallo, one of Hastert’s attorneys, said the defense had been discussing with federal prosecutors a possible resolution to the case short of a trial — a signal to a possible guilty plea. At the time, Gallo called the talks “productive.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Block confirmed for the judge that talks on a plea deal were ongoing and asked that the two sides be given additional time for the discussions.
The “wrongdoings” are reportedly sexual misconduct by Hastert involving a male high school student on a wrestling team of which Hastert was coach. At least two former students have claimed Hastert engaged in sexual activities with them.
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