Alleged Dennis Hastert victim files $1.8 million lawsuit


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.
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.
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.
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