Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, 73, pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony bank fraud charges in a $3.5 million hush-money case in which he evaded federal bank reporting laws. While the indictment only said the payments were related to "past misconduct," Hastert, a former high school teacher and wrestling coach, was allegedly sending money to an individual to cover up sexual contact with a student. Hastert had also faced charges of lying to the FBI, but they were dropped under his plea bargain. The deal recommends Hastert face up to six months in prison.
Hastert served 20 years in Congress and spent nine years as House speaker, making him the longest-serving Republican speaker in history.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group textSpeed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2025Cartoons Monday's cartoons - Ice, egg prices, and more
-
Pope Francis dies at 88Speed Read 'How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants,' Pope Francis wrote in his final living message
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
