A Chicago federal court is expected to sentence former US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for evading banking laws to withdraw “hush money” used to cover up alleged sexual abuse that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s.
The former Republican leader could face a maximum sentence of up to five years in a federal prison, but prosecutors recommend the court sentence Mr Hastert based on federal sentencing guidelines – meaning he could serve as little as six months or no time at all.
Mr Hastert, 74, pleaded guilty to charges in October, but has only alluded to “misconduct” regarding allegations of sexual abuse.
Defense attorneys for Mr Hastert have requested their client serve probation, citing his “emotional and physical” deterioration from the “public shaming and humiliation” the former US Representative has undergone.
“Mr Hastert is deeply sorry and apologised for his misconduct that occurred decades ago and the resulting harm he caused others,” his lawyers wrote in a sentencing memo filed early April.
A former wrestling student of Mr Hastert’s, as well as the sister of another victim who passed away in the 1990s, will testify in the sentencing hearing on Wednesday. Their testimony will only be used for the judge to take into consideration when issuing a sentence.
Mr Hastert – who served as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007 – does not face charges for the alleged sexual abuse that occurred decades ago, as the statute of limitations has passed.
