Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was sentenced in jail for illegal bank transactions and offering bribe money in connection with his sexual molestation of four boys. His sexual crimes were committed while he was serving as a wrestling coach at the Yorkville High School in Illinois from 1965 to 1981.
Hastert, 74, was sentenced for banking fraud charges, mainly for his illegal withdrawals to pay off one of his victims between 2010 and 2014 in exchange for silence, NBC News reported. Hastert wasn't charged of sexual abuse because Illinois' statute of limitations for sexual molestation acts committed during the 1960s to 70s has expired already.
Victims Coming Forward
Judge Thomas Durkin ordered Hastert to pay a $250,000 fine alongside a sex offender treatment and a two-year probation. Scott Cross, one of Hastert's victims and a former high school wrestler, told the court that his sexual abuse occurred in 1979 when he was just 17 years old.
Cross testified that Hastert sexually fondled his genitals on a locker room training table, the New York Times wrote. Cross, now a businessman in the financial industry, felt that the sexual abuse was his most embarrassing secret. He said not even his family and closest friends knew about his ordeal.
Hastert was the political mentor of Cross' brother, Tom Cross, a former Republican leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. Tom said their whole family are supporting Cross, adding that he was brave for opening up about his sexual abuse.
Another victim of Hastert, Steven Reinboldt, died due to AIDS in 1995. His sister, Jolene Burdge, stepped up to accuse Hastert of the sexual abuse her brother suffered in the past. Burdge said Hastert sexually molested Reinboldt repeatedly prior to his death.
Hastert's two other victims -- identified as Individual A and Victim B -- were also former wrestlers at the Yorkville High School. In May 2015, Hastert paid Individual A with $3.5 million to ensure his silence.
Hastert abused the then-14-year-old Individual A in a motel room while they were at a wrestling camp trip, the New York Times added. Individual A filed a lawsuit against Hastert this week and claimed that the former politician still have to pay him $1.8 million for the settlement's remaining sum.
Apology
Hastert acknowledged his wrongdoing and apologized to his victims, adding that he regrets his past actions. He recently suffered from a series of ailments, including a stroke and infections in his blood stream and spine.
Hastert became speaker of the house in 1999. When he left his post in 2007, Hastert built his own consultancy, Hastert & Associates, and served as a lobbyist for numerous major clients.
