Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., at the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. (Photo By Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call)
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UPDATE 6:22 p.m. ET: A federal indictment against former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert says he agreed to pay $3.5 million to hide `prior misconduct' against an unidentified person.
The indictment says Hastert agreed to pay the money to the unidentified person. The indictment does not describe the misconduct Hastert was trying to conceal.
The details were included in an indictment in which the 73-year-old Illinois Republican is charged with withdrawing $952,000 in cash in small amounts to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions over $10,000. He's also charged with lying to the FBI.
BREAKING: Indictment: Hastert agreed to pay $3.5M to hide 'prior misconduct' against unnamed person.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 28, 2015Original story below
CHICAGO (AP) – Dennis Hastert was a little-known lawmaker from a suburban Chicago district when he became the speaker of the U.S. House in 1999.
He succeeded conservative firebrand Newt Gingrich. Hastert went on to become the GOP's longest-serving speaker. He served until 2007.
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., is in the Illinois delegation at the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. (Photo By Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call)
Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced bank-related charges against Hastert.
Hastert was generally viewed as a congenial lawmaker, typically called "coach" by his GOP colleagues.
He did not immediately return message seeking comment Thursday about the federal indictment against him.
The 73-year-old Illinois Republican is charged with withdrawing $952,000 in cash in small amounts to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions over $10,000. He's also charged with lying to the FBI.
Hastert is charged with "structuring the withdrawal of $952K in cash … to evade …requirement that banks report cash transactions over $10K."
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) May 28, 2015BREAKING: Former House Speaker Denny Hastert charged with federal financial crimes and lying to the FBI.
— Scott Fornek (@sfornek) May 28, 2015Hastert.indictment.final by wamster44
This post has been updated.
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