Monday, September 28, 2015
CHICAGO (AP) — Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s attorneys are talking with prosecutors about a possible plea deal in the Republican’s hush-money case, both sides told a federal judge Monday.
The disclosure came during a federal court hearing in Chicago, though details weren’t immediately released. Hastert didn’t attend the hearing. A judge set an Oct. 15 for updates in the discussions.
A May indictment alleges that Hastert agreed to pay $3.5 million to someone identified only as “Individual A” to hide past misconduct. The Associated Press and other media, citing anonymous sources, have reported the payments were intended to conceal claims of sexual misconduct decades ago.
Hastert lives just west of Chicago, near Yorkville, where he was a teacher and coached high school wrestling until 1981.
Authorities allege that Hastert structured cash withdrawals in increments of just under $10,000 in an attempt to avoid reporting rules, and when questioned about it by the FBI, said he was taking the money out because he didn’t trust banks.
Hastert has pleaded not guilty to violating banking laws and lying to the FBI. He’s free on bond.
Defendants typically agree to change a plea to guilty in hopes of a more lenient sentence. It also avoids the stress and potential embarrassment of a trial. A deal would mean that “Individual A,” whose identity has never been made public, would not have to testify.