Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert sentenced to 15 months in prison

Hastert faces justice.
(Image credit: Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release and ordered to participate in a sex offender treatment program Wednesday, six months after pleading guilty to breaking federal banking rules to cover up his sexual abuse of high school wrestlers when he was a coach decades ago. Hastert's alleged victims, including Scott Cross, the brother of Hastert political ally and Illinois Rep. Tom Cross, testified at the hearing.

Hastert's attorney argued that despite his "very poor decisions," Hastert "was able to reshape his life." Hastert apologized in court for "mistreating some of my athletes." He has been ordered not to contact the victims.

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