Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert sexually abused at least 4 boys, prosecutors say

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert sexually abused at least four boys — one as young as 14 — when he was a high school wrestling coach decades ago, The New York Times reports federal prosecutors said Friday. In October, Hastert pleaded guilty to felony bank fraud charges related to $3.5 million in hush money allegedly going to a victim of his abuse.

The abuse included "intentional touching of minors' groin area and genitals or oral sex with a minor," prosecutors said in the court filing.

"He made them feel alone, ashamed, guilty, and devoid of dignity," prosecutors said. "While defendant achieved great success, reaping all the benefits that went with it, these boys struggled, and all are still struggling now with what defendant did to them."

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Hastert has not been charged with abuse due to statutes of limitation, prosecutors said. He is set to be sentenced April 27.