Dennis Hastert Set To Be Arraigned Thursday In Chicago

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert speaks to lawmakers on the Illinois House of Representatives floor at the state Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Hastert was being honored by Illinois lawma... Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert speaks to lawmakers on the Illinois House of Representatives floor at the state Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Hastert was being honored by Illinois lawmakers for his many years of legislative service. On Saturday March 8, 2008, voters in 14th Congressional District will vote in a special election to fill the seat of the retiring Hastert. Running to fill the seat are businessmen Democrat Bill Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) MORE LESS

Embattled former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from his alleged agreement to pay $3.5 million in hush money to an individual he reportedly sexually abused, the Associated Press reported.

The AP confirmed with Judge Thomas M. Durkin’s office that Hastert would be arraigned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The former House speaker was charged in an indictment unveiled Thursday with “structuring” bank withdrawals to avoid federal reporting requirements and lying to the FBI about those withdrawals.

Hastert has been laying low since the charges dropped. While he has yet to comment publicly, Chicago TV station WBBM reported that the former speaker has been telling his associates that he, too, is a “victim” in the scandal.

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  1. The headline is incorrect. He is charged with currency transaction violations. The sex abuse would be beyond the reach of the law due ti the statute of limitations.

  2. Troublesome to even think of Mr Hastert 's personal problems but it is very difficult for me to overlook now his pulling the house bill recommended by the House committee which would have made an American statement acknowledging the Armenian genocide . That reaps of serious corruption to benefit a foreign country for favors and possibly receiving financial rewards and is about as un American as an individual can get.
    As a vet and an octogenarian I am amazed how certain sectors of our society broadcast their righteousness and then produce leaders that they flock to and in turn out to be real louses.
    Get real! people
    And let me add how could a nationally recognized party put a person with such a shallow background into a third successor position for the presidency?

    Actually Sen McCain beat that out, SHE would have been second in line!!! Oh well.
    tj, Illinois

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