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Ex-Speaker Dennis Hastert to enter 'hush money' plea Ex-Speaker Dennis Hastert denies hush money charges
(about 1 hour later)
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is to appear in court for the first time after a federal indictment alleged he paid someone off to stay quiet about past wrongdoing. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has pleaded not guilty to charges he paid someone off to stay quiet about past wrongdoing.
The 73-year-old former congressman from Illinois is set to have a plea hearing in US District Court in Chicago. The plea was entered by his lawyers acting on behalf of the 73-year-old at the US District Court in Chicago.
The FBI said Mr Hastert broke federal banking laws by withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars at once.The FBI said Mr Hastert broke federal banking laws by withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars at once.
The pay-off is related to allegations of sexual abuse, according to US media. The pay-off is related to allegations of sexual abuse, according to US media, but there are no sex charges.
But he has not been charged with any crime related to sexual misconduct.
According to the indictment, Mr Hastert paid "Individual A" $3.5m (£2.3m) to not speak up about "prior misconduct" against the person.According to the indictment, Mr Hastert paid "Individual A" $3.5m (£2.3m) to not speak up about "prior misconduct" against the person.
He paid nearly half of the money before federal agents noticed.He paid nearly half of the money before federal agents noticed.
He has not spoken about the allegations, which relate to when he was a high school teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School in Illinois in the 1970s.He has not spoken about the allegations, which relate to when he was a high school teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School in Illinois in the 1970s.
Judge Thomas M Durkin will oversee the hearing, at which Mr Hastert will enter a plea. Judge Thomas M Durkin set a bond of $4,500 (£2,9250 ) and ordered him to surrender his passport.
His lawyer, Thomas C Green, has seen a handful of other high-profile, US politician-involved cases like the Watergate scandal with former US president Richard Nixon.His lawyer, Thomas C Green, has seen a handful of other high-profile, US politician-involved cases like the Watergate scandal with former US president Richard Nixon.
According to Jolene Burdge, her late brother Stephen Reinboldt told her he was sexually abused by Mr Hastert.According to Jolene Burdge, her late brother Stephen Reinboldt told her he was sexually abused by Mr Hastert.
Ms Burdge said she was never paid by Mr Hastert, so the indictment shows there could be other victims.Ms Burdge said she was never paid by Mr Hastert, so the indictment shows there could be other victims.
Reinboldt told his sister about the alleged sexual abuse years after it happened, in 1979, when he revealed to her he was gay.Reinboldt told his sister about the alleged sexual abuse years after it happened, in 1979, when he revealed to her he was gay.
The FBI interviewed Ms Burdge last month, she said.The FBI interviewed Ms Burdge last month, she said.
During Mr Hastert's role of US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Burdge struggled to watch Mr Hastert bask in his power in government, she said.