Ex-speaker Hastert won't appeal 15-month prison sentence

CHICAGO, May 12 (UPI) -- Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert won't appeal his 15-month sentence, his lawyers confirmed Thursday.

Hastert's plea deal with federal prosecutors allowed him two weeks to file an appeal when he was sentenced on April 27.

Hastert's attorney told Chicago media he would not appeal -- Thomas Green emailed the Sun-Times and John Gallo emailed the Tribune.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin called the former speaker a "serial child molester" and required him to admit he sexually abused boys decades ago at Yorkville High School in Illinois. The judge also ordered him to participate in a sex offender treatment program and pay a $250,000 fine.

Hastert, 74, pleaded guilty last October to withdrawing $952,000 from his bank accounts in several increments to avoid federal reporting requirements for transactions of $10,000 and up, and that he used it as "hush money" to pay off a victim.

In all, he took out $1.7 million over 4 1/2 years.

After the sentencing, Green had said his client accepted the sentence.

"He takes sole responsibility for this tragic situation and deeply apologizes to all those affected by his actions," Green said. "He hopes that he now can focus on addressing his health issues and on healing the emotional damage that has been inflicted on his family and friends who have shown unwavering support throughout this trying time."