Alleged Dennis Hastert victim files $1.8 million lawsuit

More revelations in Hastert sexual abuse case.
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A former student of Dennis Hastert's, known as Individual A in a federal indictment of the former House speaker, filed a lawsuit Monday demanding $1.8 million, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The alleged victim of Hastert's sexual abuse, then 14, argued he didn't receive all of the $3.5 million his former wrestling coach agreed to pay him in compensation for hiding the abuse from decades ago in a motel while on a wrestling trip.

"For many years to follow, Plaintiff suffered severe panic attacks which lead [sic] to periods of unemployment, career changes, bouts of depression, hospitalization, and long-term psychiatric treatment," the lawsuit read.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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.

Sign up

After pleading guilty to hush money charges, Hastert is set to be sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors have alleged he sexually abused at least four boys, but he has not been charged due to the statutes of limitations.

Explore More
Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.