(abc7chicago.com) The government’s pre sentencing memo divulges fresh details about the sexual misconduct underpinnings of the Hastert case – including the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy. (WLS)
CHICAGO (WLS) —
Prosecutors in a hush money case against ex-U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert are asking that a judge decide whether to put the former, powerful Illinois congressman in prison.
READ: Hastert sentencing memo from prosecutors
The government’s presentencing memo filed Friday night does divulge fresh details about the sexual misconduct underpinnings of the Hastert case – including the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy who was a wrestler on a team Hastert coached.
A veil of secrecy over the Hastert case has resulted in cloak and dagger efforts by legal observers and news organizations to determine why the former House Speaker had crafted a deal to pay $3.5 million to keep persons quiet about past misconduct.
Mr. Hastert pleaded guilty only to breaking banking laws and not to sexual misconduct or crimes that reveal the nature of the personal transgressions. He will be sentenced April 27 by District Judge Thomas M. Durkin in Chicago. Judge Durkin will determine a prison sentence of between zero and six months.
Hastert’s plea agreement with the government he once served called for that amount of prison time-no more than six months. There had been speculation by court watchers that prosecutors would ask for little or no time behind bars considering his health and lack of criminal history. Tonight’s court filing puts the decision on the judge, and asks for a period of court supervision as a sex offender regardless of whether he actually does jail time.
Prosecutors and Judge Durkin last month confirmed at a hearing in Chicago that the fundamental allegations against Hastert relate to sexual abuse. Other than that, from the beginning of what Hastert attorney’s describe as a tremendous fall from glory, there has been no official intonation explaining why any of it happened.
As the I-Team reported this week, defense attorneys want probation for the fallen, 74-year old Republican legend. They have asked for merciful consideration for the sickly Hastert, citing his health and the family shame he’s suffered.