Advertisement

Oct. 28, 2015 / 11:16 AM

Former Speaker Hastert pleads guilty to bank fraud charges

Hastert is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 29.

Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert arrives at Federal Court for his arraignment on charges that he evaded banking regulations and lied about it to the FBI, on June 9 in Chicago. File photo by Brian Kersey/UPI

Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert arrives at Federal Court for his arraignment on charges that he evaded banking regulations and lied about it to the FBI, on June 9 in Chicago. File photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty Wednesday in Chicago to bank fraud charges connected with what prosecutors say is a sexual misconduct matter.

His indictment says Hastert, 73, a former Republican Congressman from Illinois and House Speaker from 1999 to 2007, broke banking laws and lied to investigators. He agreed to pay hush money amounting to $3.5 million to an unidentified person to hide his "past misconduct."

Advertisement

No details were provided Wednesday regarding what led Hastert to withdraw nearly $1 million in cash from four bank accounts over a two-and-a-half-year period.

A federal law enforcement official has said "Individual A," as he has been identified, is a former male student who alleges Hastert molested him when Hastert was a teacher and wrestling coach in the 1980s.

In court Wednesday, Hastert, before pleading guilty, said, "I didn't want them [bank officials] to know how I intended to spend the money ... I withdrew the money in less than $10,000 increments."

A Feb. 29 sentencing hearing was scheduled. Prosecutors said they will recommend a six-month jail sentence.

Advertisement

Read More

Topics
Dennis Hastert

Cat. 5 Hurricane Milton takes aim at west-central Florida

U.S. News // 3 days ago

Cat. 5 Hurricane Milton takes aim at west-central Florida

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Hurricane Milton remained a Category 5 storm early Wednesday, according to forecasters who expect the storm to continue growing before making landfall along Florida's west-central coast in about 24 hours.

Ethel Kennedy, human rights advocate and widow of RFK, hospitalized following stroke

U.S. News // 2 hours ago

Ethel Kennedy, human rights advocate and widow of RFK, hospitalized following stroke

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Ethel Kennedy, human rights advocate and widow of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, suffered a stroke last week and has been hospitalized, her family said Tuesday.

U.S. sanctions senior RSF leader for fueling Sudan's bloody conflict

U.S. News // 5 hours ago

U.S. sanctions senior RSF leader for fueling Sudan's bloody conflict

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The United States on Tuesday sanctioned a senior leader of Sudan's breakaway Rapid Support Forces on accusations of procuring weapons for the militia, which are fueling the ongoing bloody civil conflict.

Justice Dept.: LA Fitness discriminates against people with disabilities

U.S. News // 6 hours ago

Justice Dept.: LA Fitness discriminates against people with disabilities

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- LA Fitness discriminates against people with disabilities at its gym and fitness clubs, the Department of Justice said in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.

Afghani charged with election day ISIS terrorist plot in the U.S.

U.S. News // 7 hours ago

Afghani charged with election day ISIS terrorist plot in the U.S.

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Afghanistan citizen and Oklahoma resident Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi planned to use semi-automatic firearms to commit a "violent terrorist act" on election day, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

Federal agents help passenger land plane after pilot incapacitated

U.S. News // 8 hours ago

Federal agents help passenger land plane after pilot incapacitated

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The lone passenger on an unidentified aircraft safely landed in Bakersfield, Calif., recently after the aircraft's pilot became incapacitated.

NOAA to use $15M to improve climate projection models

U.S. News // 10 hours ago

NOAA to use $15M to improve climate projection models

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- As weather events continue to devastate locales around the world, the United States hopes a more-than $15 million investment in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will improve climate projection models.

Largest publicly traded water utility maintains services after cyberattack

U.S. News // 11 hours ago

Largest publicly traded water utility maintains services after cyberattack

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- New Jersey-based American Water, the nation's largest publicly traded water utility, said it took steps to minimize harm from a cyberattack while continuing water and wastewater services in 14 states.

Ex-staffer to NYC Mayor Eric Adams arrested, another top official resigns amid U.S. probe

U.S. News // 11 hours ago

Ex-staffer to NYC Mayor Eric Adams arrested, another top official resigns amid U.S. probe

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged Tuesday with witness tampering and destroying evidence related to a federal investigation that led to Adams' indictment on bribery charges.

Former Indiana police lieutenant convicted of beating suspect, inmates

U.S. News // 13 hours ago

Former Indiana police lieutenant convicted of beating suspect, inmates

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A former Indiana police lieutenant was convicted last Friday of multiple federal counts of using excessive force against people in custody and is now awaiting sentencing, authorities said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement