Hastert attorney 'acknowledges' pain of victim

CHICAGO (AP) — A defense attorney for former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has told a federal courtroom that he "acknowledges and respects" the pain of a man who says Hastert sexually abused him when Hastert was a high school wrestling coach.

Attorney Thomas Green spoke today at a sentencing hearing in Hastert's hush-money case.

Green urged the judge to take into consideration the "entire arc" of Hastert's life, asserting that he reshaped his life as a public servant during his political career.

The 74-year-old Republican pleaded guilty in October to violating banking reporting laws as he sought to pay someone $3.5 million.

Hastert's plea deal sets out a sentencing guideline ranging from probation to six months behind bars. But the judge could impose a harsher sentence.

The lead prosecutor in the hush-money case, however, says he wishes the former Hastert could have been charged with the sexual abuse he was trying to cover up.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Block said today that Hastert's conduct while a high school teacher and coach was "horrendous."

Because of the statute of limitations, Hastert could only be charged with a financial crime related to payments he made to one of at least four victims of sexual abuse.