AP source: Hastert paid to conceal claims of sexual abuse

[Lite Beer]

AP source: Hastert paid to conceal claims of sexual abuse
By ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL TARM

CHICAGO (AP) — Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert paid hush money to conceal claims that the Illinois Republican sexually molested someone decades ago, a person familiar with the allegations said Friday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing and the allegations are not contained in an indictment issued Thursday. The specific nature of the claims was not immediately clear.

The federal indictment accused Hastert of agreeing to pay $3.5 million to keep a person from the suburban Chicago town where he was a longtime high school teacher and wrestling coach silent about "prior misconduct," but the court papers did not detail the wrongdoing.

Several media outlets reported similar details Friday, citing unnamed federal officials.

The Los Angeles Times, which was the first to report the specifics, cited two federal law enforcement officials, one of whom said Hastert paid a male to keep quiet about allegations that the former speaker molested him back in his coaching days.

The official said the case had nothing to do with public corruption or Hastert's time in elected office.

The indictment accused Hastert of agreeing to pay the money to a person identified in the document only as "Individual A," to "compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against" that person.

It noted that Hastert was a high school history teacher and coach from 1965 to 1981 in suburban Yorkville, west of Chicago. It went on to say that Individual A has been a resident of Yorkville and has known Hastert for most of Individual A's life, but it did not describe their relationship.

Legal experts say the fact that federal prosecutors noted Hastert's tenure in Yorkville in the indictment's first few sentences strongly suggests some connection between the allegations and that time and place.

"Notice the teacher and coach language," said Jeff Cramer, a former federal prosecutor and head of the Chicago office of the investigation firm Kroll. "Feds don't put in language like that unless it's relevant."

No one has contacted the school district where Hastert worked to report any misconduct involving him, school officials Friday said in a statement. The district did not learn of the indictment until Thursday.

Hastert, who has not been arrested, was a little-known GOP leader when he was chosen to succeed Newt Gingrich as speaker. Hastert was picked after favored Louisiana Rep. Bob Livingston resigned following his admission of several sexual affairs.

As speaker, Hastert pushed President George W. Bush's legislative agenda, helping pass a massive tax cut and expanding federal prescription drug benefits. During those years, he was second in the line for the presidency, after the vice president.

He retired from Congress in 2007 after eight years as speaker, making him the longest-serving Republican House speaker. After leaving Congress, he worked as a lobbyist in Washington.

A spokesman for the Dickstein Shapiro LLC law and lobbying firm said Thursday that Hastert had resigned.

The indictment charges the 73-year-old with one count of evading bank regulations by withdrawing $952,000 in increments of less than $10,000 to skirt reporting requirements. He also is charged with one count of lying to the FBI about the reason for the unusual withdrawals.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Hastert did not return email and phone messages from the AP.

Prosecutors said Hastert will be ordered to appear for arraignment, but no date had been set.

Hastert allegedly withdrew a total of $1.7 million in cash from various bank accounts from 2010 to 2014, then provided the money to Individual A.

The indictment said Hastert agreed to the payments after multiple meetings in 2010. "During at least one of the meetings, Individual A and defendant discussed past misconduct by defendant against Individual A that had occurred years earlier," and Hastert agreed to pay $3.5 million to keep it quiet, the papers said. The indictment suggests he never paid the full amount.

Between 2010 and 2012, Hastert made 15 cash withdrawals of $50,000 from bank accounts and gave cash to Individual A around every six weeks, according to the indictment.

Around April 2012, bank officials began questioning Hastert about the withdrawals. Starting in July of that year, Hastert reduced the amounts he withdrew to less than $10,000 at a time, apparently so they would not run afoul of a regulation designed to stop illicit activity such as money laundering, the indictment said.

Among the focuses of the FBI investigation was whether Hastert, in the words of the indictment, was "the victim of a criminal extortion related to, among other matters, his prior positions in government." The court document does not elaborate.

Investigators questioned Hastert on Dec. 8, and he claimed he was making the withdrawals because he did not trust the banking system, the indictment said.

"Yeah ... I kept the cash. That's what I am doing," it quotes Hastert as saying.

___

Tucker reported from Washington.

___

Associated Press writers Kerry Lester in Springfield, Don Babwin and Sophia Tareen in Chicago and researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York also contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-30

[sirineou]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

[Publicus]

If this alleged offense didn't very probably involve a non-consenting minor on Coach Hastert's wrestling team it would be a circus.

The R party Hastert was chosen speaker of the House because the guy in line ahead of him, R Cong Rbt Livingston of LA had been caught in several sexual relationships to include with a female lobbyist. Livingston had been trying to replace the R Newt Gingrich who has had extra marital sexual relationships.

While Hastert was speaker he unsuccessfully ignored R Cong Mark Foley's approaches to a sixteen year old Congressional male page and to other male pages. All of these guyz were prominent in impeaching Prez Bill Clinton for executive action sex with a White House intern.

There have been rumors about Hastert for a long time, especially when he advocated and voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, since ruled unconstitutional by SCOTUS, and advanced legislation to nullify all same sex marriages in the country up to that time.

Hastert shared a Capitol Hill apartment with his male chief of staff which was talked about during all of Hastert's time in Congress (Hastert went home on weekends to join wife Jean and two sons Joshua and Ethan).

Barney Frank on tv today suggested Hastert was slow to act against Cong Foley because, well....

The R clown car of hypocrisy, deceit, duplicity, dishonesty, persecution, exploitation, sanctimonious self-righteousness zooms right off the cliff yet again.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Publicus

[sirineou]

If this alleged offense didn't very probably involve a non-consenting minor on Coach Hastert's wrestling team it would be a circus.

The R party Hastert was chosen speaker of the House because the guy in line ahead of him, R Cong Rbt Livingston of LA had been caught in several sexual relationships to include with a female lobbyist. Livingston had been trying to replace the R Newt Gingrich who has had extra marital sexual relationships.

While Hastert was speaker he unsuccessfully ignored R Cong Mark Foley's approaches to a sixteen year old Congressional male page and to other male pages. All of these guyz were prominent in impeaching Prez Bill Clinton for executive action sex with a White House intern.

There have been rumors about Hastert for a long time, especially when he advocated and voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, since ruled unconstitutional by SCOTUS, and advanced legislation to nullify all same sex marriages in the country up to that time.

Hastert shared a Capitol Hill apartment with his chief of staff which was talked about during all of Hastert's time in Congress (Hastert went home on weekends to join wife Jean and two sons Joshua and Ethan).

Barney Frank on tv today suggested Hastert was slow to act against Cong Foley because, well....

The R clown car of hypocrisy, deceit, duplicity, dishonesty, persecution, exploitation, sanctimonious self-righteousness zooms right off the cliff yet again.

Hey, the Kid is back

I dont think they were mad at Clinton for his extramarital affair,

I think they were more pisses that it was heterosexual

[harryfrompattaya]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

[Publicus]

The gerontology Kid

In Washington politics where there is smoke someone's pants are on fire.

Smoke meet fire.

These R's in Washington need to take career criminal tips and lessons from Darrell Isa.

[geriatrickid]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

Openly gay teachers are not the ones who present the problem. It's the closeted ones who pretend that they are not gay and who would readily agree with you.

[sirineou]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

Openly gay teachers are not the ones who present the problem. It's the closeted ones who pretend that they are not gay and who would readily agree with you.

And there lays the problem with the Republicans,

[Pinot]

The Trifecta! All three Republican Speakers of the House who oversaw the impeachment of Bill Clinton, now have a history of sexual misconduct.

[harryfrompattaya]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

Openly gay teachers are not the ones who present the problem. It's the closeted ones who pretend that they are not gay and who would readily agree with you.

How do you known Hastert was not opening gay when he was teacher

The Janitor and Kitchen knew do no tell me teachers are so dumb and did not to know

the Crime for sleeping with students under 18 should be death

That way it will stop

[Traveling Sailor]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

Openly gay teachers are not the ones who present the problem. It's the closeted ones who pretend that they are not gay and who would readily agree with you.

How do you known Hastert was not opening gay when he was teacher

The Janitor and Kitchen knew do no tell me teachers are so dumb and did not to know

the Crime for sleeping with students under 18 should be death

That way it will stop

While it is true that death would stop one perp at a time, I would prefer that they be allowed to live, minus their member. Oh the shame of it.

[sirineou]

More Christian faith and family values from the republicans

In America this is very big problem with Teachers of all kinds

Maybe we have to change the standards for Teachers or put these people in Jail for life

You do not read Garbage Collectors during this terrible act

Openly gay teachers are not the ones who present the problem. It's the closeted ones who pretend that they are not gay and who would readily agree with you.

How do you known Hastert was not opening gay when he was teacher

The Janitor and Kitchen knew do no tell me teachers are so dumb and did not to know

the Crime for sleeping with students under 18 should be death

That way it will stop

Don't you think,if he was openly gay as a teacher, it would have come up during his tenure in the republican party, given his party's stance on the subject?

and why would he pay 3.5 million dollars to keep secret an openly gay lifestyle.

[JakeSully]

It's hillarious, Gingrich, Hastert impeached Bill Clinton for getting a blowjob.

Compared to these GOP'ers who protected Mark Foley - a closeted homosexual for molesting his page, Bill Clinton looks like a <deleted> sunday school choir boy.

[chuckd]

Oh yes, let's give Bill a pass since he is a Democrat. He's been chasing skirts for years and there are claims he still has an "Energizer Bunny" under the protection of his Secret Service detail.

Considering who he has been married to all these years, I can't say he is completely at fault here, but it doesn't look good for the President to be getting oral sex in a bathroom in the White House. Appearances, and all that.

To put a little perspective on this Republican bashing thread, here is a little look at reality. It's a few years old but the point is still the same.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the link posted below:

"After studying more than 60 scandals over the past 20 years involving all politicians or major candidates for city mayor and above—many involved crimes, others just allegations, but all wound up as tabloid fodder—some conclusions can be reached.

• The number of sex scandals has increased dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to technology, new press standards, and a post-Clinton belief that everything is fair game.

• Republicans have more scandals (35 to 28), but Democrats have bigger ones, based on our methodology (13 out of the top 20).

• Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/03/30/which-party-has-more-sex-scandals.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I should think there is enough red meat to go around for everybody.

[JakeSully]

What's worse than molesting an underage child?

For the party of "family values" they sure are hyprocrites

And you can say it didn't happen.. but Michael Jackson paid I don't know how many millions for something that didn't happen too!

Oh yes, let's give Bill a pass since he is a Democrat. He's been chasing skirts for years and there are claims he still has an "Energizer Bunny" under the protection of his Secret Service detail.

Considering who he has been married to all these years, I can't say he is completely at fault here, but it doesn't look good for the President to be getting oral sex in a bathroom in the White House. Appearances, and all that.

To put a little perspective on this Republican bashing thread, here is a little look at reality. It's a few years old but the point is still the same.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the link posted below:

"After studying more than 60 scandals over the past 20 years involving all politicians or major candidates for city mayor and above—many involved crimes, others just allegations, but all wound up as tabloid fodder—some conclusions can be reached.

• The number of sex scandals has increased dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to technology, new press standards, and a post-Clinton belief that everything is fair game.

• Republicans have more scandals (35 to 28), but Democrats have bigger ones, based on our methodology (13 out of the top 20).

• Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/03/30/which-party-has-more-sex-scandals.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I should think there is enough red meat to go around for everybody.

[Chicog]

"Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

And they both have a problem with lying through their teeth. Well in reality they don't, unless they get caught.

[chuckd]

What's worse than molesting an underage child?

For the party of "family values" they sure are hyprocrites

And you can say it didn't happen.. but Michael Jackson paid I don't know how many millions for something that didn't happen too!

Oh yes, let's give Bill a pass since he is a Democrat. He's been chasing skirts for years and there are claims he still has an "Energizer Bunny" under the protection of his Secret Service detail.

Considering who he has been married to all these years, I can't say he is completely at fault here, but it doesn't look good for the President to be getting oral sex in a bathroom in the White House. Appearances, and all that.

To put a little perspective on this Republican bashing thread, here is a little look at reality. It's a few years old but the point is still the same.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the link posted below:

"After studying more than 60 scandals over the past 20 years involving all politicians or major candidates for city mayor and above—many involved crimes, others just allegations, but all wound up as tabloid fodder—some conclusions can be reached.

• The number of sex scandals has increased dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to technology, new press standards, and a post-Clinton belief that everything is fair game.

• Republicans have more scandals (35 to 28), but Democrats have bigger ones, based on our methodology (13 out of the top 20).

• Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/03/30/which-party-has-more-sex-scandals.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I should think there is enough red meat to go around for everybody.

Where did I claim nothing happened?

My point is both parties have had sexual deviants.

What is your point?

[sirineou]

Oh yes, let's give Bill a pass since he is a Democrat. He's been chasing skirts for years and there are claims he still has an "Energizer Bunny" under the protection of his Secret Service detail.

Considering who he has been married to all these years, I can't say he is completely at fault here, but it doesn't look good for the President to be getting oral sex in a bathroom in the White House. Appearances, and all that.

To put a little perspective on this Republican bashing thread, here is a little look at reality. It's a few years old but the point is still the same.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the link posted below:

"After studying more than 60 scandals over the past 20 years involving all politicians or major candidates for city mayor and above—many involved crimes, others just allegations, but all wound up as tabloid fodder—some conclusions can be reached.

• The number of sex scandals has increased dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to technology, new press standards, and a post-Clinton belief that everything is fair game.

• Republicans have more scandals (35 to 28), but Democrats have bigger ones, based on our methodology (13 out of the top 20).

• Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/03/30/which-party-has-more-sex-scandals.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I should think there is enough red meat to go around for everybody.

The difference between Bill Clinton and some of the republicans is that while he was getting BJs they were giving them, and all this while condemning others , I dont have a problem with anyone's sexual orientation , non of my business, what I have a problem with is being a Hypocrite and of course engaging in sexual activity with minors.

Hastert did what he did while was a teacher, a wrestling coach and a boy scout leader expect a lot more to come out of this Ohh,,, and he lied during the investigation as to why he was withdrawing the money.

[stevenl]

Oh yes, let's give Bill a pass since he is a Democrat. He's been chasing skirts for years and there are claims he still has an "Energizer Bunny" under the protection of his Secret Service detail.

Considering who he has been married to all these years, I can't say he is completely at fault here, but it doesn't look good for the President to be getting oral sex in a bathroom in the White House. Appearances, and all that.

To put a little perspective on this Republican bashing thread, here is a little look at reality. It's a few years old but the point is still the same.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the link posted below:

"After studying more than 60 scandals over the past 20 years involving all politicians or major candidates for city mayor and above—many involved crimes, others just allegations, but all wound up as tabloid fodder—some conclusions can be reached.

• The number of sex scandals has increased dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to technology, new press standards, and a post-Clinton belief that everything is fair game.

• Republicans have more scandals (35 to 28), but Democrats have bigger ones, based on our methodology (13 out of the top 20).

• Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/03/30/which-party-has-more-sex-scandals.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I should think there is enough red meat to go around for everybody.

The difference between Bill Clinton and some of the republicans is that while he was getting BJs they were giving them, and all this while condemning others , I dont have a problem with anyone's sexual orientation , non of my business, what I have a problem with is being a Hypocrite and of course engaging in sexual activity with minors.

Hastert did what he did while was a teacher, a wrestling coach and a boy scout leader expect a lot more to come out of this Ohh,,, and he lied during the investigation as to why he was withdrawing the money.

By now they won't be able to prove child abuse, but they'll get him for obstruction of a federal investigation.

[chuckd]

It would be hard for Bill to condemn anybody else for unethical sexual activity. His list of gropings and sexual trysts goes back to the Arkansas Governor's mansion.

While we are on the subject of hypocritical Democrats...how does one square up former Senator and erstwhile Presidential candidate John Edwards. He was having an affair with a photographer while his wife was dying of cancer.

I guess if one is a liberal politically, that sort of activity is forgiven.

Andrew Weiner, anybody?

Democratic skirts are just as dirty as Republicans when it comes to this issue.

[sirineou]

It would be hard for Bill to condemn anybody else for unethical sexual activity. His list of gropings and sexual trysts goes back to the Arkansas Governor's mansion.

While we are on the subject of hypocritical Democrats...how does one square up former Senator and erstwhile Presidential candidate John Edwards. He was having an affair with a photographer while his wife was dying of cancer.

I guess if one is a liberal politically, that sort of activity is forgiven.

Andrew Weiner, anybody?

Democratic skirts are just as dirty as Republicans when it comes to this issue.

None of it illegal

unless you cant distinguish the difference between consenting sex between adults and statutory rape

Or the Hypocrisy of leading a party that condemns homosexuality while engaging in it

[chuckd]

It's late so I will just leave your troll post until tomorrow...maybe.

Ta.

[sirineou]

It's late so I will just leave your troll post until tomorrow...maybe.

Ta.

you had enough time to write this, you have enough time to reply

perhaps you need more time to try to think if something, it's Ok take all the time you need, sleep on it.

PS: "Democratic skirts are just as dirty as Republicans when it comes to this issue"

Democrats like to chase skirt, while republicans...........

I love it when people try to defend the indefensible,

Edited May 31, 2015 by sirineou

[Publicus]

"Democrats tend to have more problems with harassment, staffers, and underage girls; Republicans tend to have more problems with prostitutes, hypocrisy, and underage boys."

And they both have a problem with lying through their teeth. Well in reality they don't, unless they get caught.

It's an old saying in Washington that all the politicians know, don't get caught with a dead woman or a live boy.

I just hadn't recognized it's pretty much a Democratic party - Republican party thing as to which.

It's the Republican party hypocrisy that stands out, that's all.

[Scott]

I would very, very strongly suggest you get back on the topic and stop the trolling.

I highly doubt that any political party has an exclusive monopoly on either good or bad behavior.

[geriatrickid]

It would be hard for Bill to condemn anybody else for unethical sexual activity. His list of gropings and sexual trysts goes back to the Arkansas Governor's mansion.

While we are on the subject of hypocritical Democrats...how does one square up former Senator and erstwhile Presidential candidate John Edwards. He was having an affair with a photographer while his wife was dying of cancer.

I guess if one is a liberal politically, that sort of activity is forgiven.

Andrew Weiner, anybody?

Democratic skirts are just as dirty as Republicans when it comes to this issue.

Not really.

Democrat sex scandals typically involve consenting adults and skew towards heterosexual events.

Republican sex scandals skew towards homosexual trysts whether they be with minors who may be unable to legally consent, and bathroom stall type encounters .

I find it rather odd that the GOP, the party which has repeatedly attacked gay people and their claims to be treated equally, always seems to have its most homophobic members caught up in a homosexual scandal.

[Chicog]

Most of these people are old fogies, take away their blue pills and the sex scandals will evaporate.

[Camelot]

Most of these people are old fogies, take away their blue pills and the sex scandals will evaporate.

No blue pills around when Congressman Wilbur Mills was doing his thing back in the 70s. His exploits with stripper Fanne Fox were hilarious and have rarely been equalled. My point is that there is nothing new in acts of scandalous behaviour by elected politicians in the US or anywhere else.

[sirineou]

It would be hard for Bill to condemn anybody else for unethical sexual activity. His list of gropings and sexual trysts goes back to the Arkansas Governor's mansion.

While we are on the subject of hypocritical Democrats...how does one square up former Senator and erstwhile Presidential candidate John Edwards. He was having an affair with a photographer while his wife was dying of cancer.

I guess if one is a liberal politically, that sort of activity is forgiven.

Andrew Weiner, anybody?

Democratic skirts are just as dirty as Republicans when it comes to this issue.

Not really.

Democrat sex scandals typically involve consenting adults and skew towards heterosexual events.

Republican sex scandals skew towards homosexual trysts whether they be with minors who may be unable to legally consent, and bathroom stall type encounters .

I find it rather odd that the GOP, the party which has repeatedly attacked gay people and their claims to be treated equally, always seems to have its most homophobic members caught up in a homosexual scandal.

Let's look at this from a different perspective

Put aside the pedophile crimes, because that's what they are,they are crimes. regardless of if it is homosexual or heterosexual

And look at the conceding adult homosexual behavior

In every population of man there will be a certain percentage that would be Homosexual,

There is a debate as to the percentage, some say 3 others say 5% the percentage is not

important for the purposes of this conversation what is Important is that there is a natural percentage of gay man.

And like every other population, the Republican population would also have a certain percentage that would be Gay, it is only natural

These republicans belong to the party because of certain core ideals that are more aligned with the republican doctrine. but because of their nature have homosexual tendencies,

because of the Republican stance on homosexuality, they have to make a choice

if they want to remain viable with in the Republican culture and suppress their sexuality

This suppression IMO some times manifests it's self in unnatural ways,, at the very least it leads in a compromised existence

Hastert, other in the republican party or in a certain religious organisation are forced to suppress their sexuality and as such are also victims

any way, an other way to look at this, what do you all think about that

[sirineou]

In every population of man there will be a certain percentage that would be Homosexual,

correction of my above reply

I should had said,

In every population of man and women...