Former U.S. Representative J. Dennis Hastert was the longest-serving GOP Speaker of the House when he retired in 2007. On Thursday, reports the Washington Post, a federal grand jury indicted Hastert on charges that he "violated banking laws in a bid to pay $3.5 million to an unnamed person to cover up 'past misconduct.'” He has also been accused of lying to federal investigators. Prosecutors allege that in 2010 Hastert agreed to hand over $3.5 million “to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against Individual A.” No details on the misconduct or the identity of A. Hastert, 73, is now a highly-paid D.C. lobbyist. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Former Speaker of the House Hastert indicted
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By Mary Bruno
Mary was Crosscut's Editor-in-Chief and Interim Publisher. In more than 25 years as a journalist, she has worked as a writer, editor and editorial director for a variety of print and web publications,
Mary was Crosscut's Editor-in-Chief and Interim Publisher. In more than 25 years as a journalist, she has worked as a writer, editor and editorial director for a variety of print and web publications,