CHICAGO (TIP): Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert intends to plead guilty in a federal hushmoney case linked to allegations of sexual misconduct from decades ago, his attorney told a federal judge on Thursday. Hastert, a Republican who led the US House for nine years until 2007, is charged with breaking banking laws and lying to the FBI in efforts to pay someone $3.5 million to hide claims of unspecified past misconduct.
Media reports, citing anonymous sources, have said the payments were meant to conceal claims of sexual misconduct.
Hastert’s attorney John Gallo said during a brief hearing that he expects to have a written plea agreement by Monday. He asked the judge to set a date for a change of plea. The judge scheduled an October 28 hearing. Gallo did not describe any of the terms, including what counts Hastert would plead guilty to and any possible sentence, including prison time.