Hastert sentenced to 15 months in prison

Posted on April 27, 2016

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has been sentenced to 15 months in prison as part of his punishment for financial crimes connected to accusations of sexual abuse. (Photo Flicker/Doug Bowman)

By Greg Bishop/ Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – It’s 15 months prison plus two years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for former Speaker of the U.S. House Dennis Hastert. Hastert was sentenced by a federal judge in Chicago Wednesday. The judge gave Hastert time to address medical issues. A date for surrender has not yet been set.

Federal prosecutors had recommended up to six months of jail time.

The 74-year-old Hastert faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison for a financial crime related to accusations that he sexually abused teen wrestlers while he was a coach at Yorkville High School.

Federal prosecutors said Hastert agreed to pay an individual more than $3 million to compensate him for the sexual abuse the boy suffered when he was 14.

Hastert suffered a stroke several months ago. His attorneys sought a probation-only sentence due to his declining health.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…