Hastert seeks probation, offers vague apology for 'misconduct'

[WhiteTara]

Source: Politico

Lawyers for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert are asking a federal judge to spare him jail time for violating a federal anti-money laundering law, but are remaining vague about the nature of the decades-old misconduct he agreed to pay at least $3.5 million to keep quiet.

In a filing submitted to a federal judge in Chicago, Hastert's legal team acknowledged that he caused harm to others with his behavior years ago, but they did not offer any detailed response to claims that the former speaker had sexual contact with students when he was an Illinois high school teacher and wrestling coach before entering politics in the 1980s.

"Neither we as his lawyers, nor Mr. Hastert, have the present insight to understand and reconcile the unfortunate and harmful incidents he caused decades ago with the enduring achievements, leadership, and generosity that earned him extraordinary affection and respect throughout this country during his many years of public service," Hastert attorney Tom Green and other lawyers wrote. "What we do know is that he will stand before the Court having deteriorated both physically and emotionally, undoubtedly in part due to public shaming and humiliation of an unprecedented degree."

Hastert was indicted in May on charges that he structured about $1 million in bank withdrawals in order to avoid federal reporting requirements and that he lied to FBI agents investigating the matter. The indictment said the money was part of $3.5 million the former speaker agreed to pay an unnamed associate to cover up and compensate for Hastert's past misconduct. Press reports said the wrongdoing involved sexual encounters with male students, but the indictment was silent on that point and federal officials would not comment publicly about it.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/dennis-hastert-probation-prison-221653

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He's so slimy.

[WhiteTara]

2. Sounds good.

BTW Welcome to DU

[rpannier]

3. Wow! Just Wow!

undoubtedly in part due to public shaming and humiliation of an unprecedented degree.
Unprecedented???!!! Really

That's just pathetic
Almost sounds like we're supposed to see him as the victim
I'm sure he apologizes to anyone who is offended by his actions

If I were the judge I'd be tempted to throw his attorney into jail with him

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

5. He's sorry in two areas

He is a sorry, sorry bastard and he's sorry he got caught.

Sorry for what he did?... LMFAO!

[houston16revival]

6. His misdeeds are not

something ordinary citizens can get away with

Let's see if he really is above the law

Why are elites allowed to cover up or mute the PR surrounding
their sex crimes?

It didn't work for Elliot Spitzer, or Anthony Weiner

[AxionExcel]

13. Republicans are special i

They just don't do the responsibility thing. That's a very deeply ingrained pattern for Republicans.

[Old Vet]

16. You cant even compare texting your junk.....

And being with a prostitute to RAPING a young boy.....

[houston16revival]

21. You're right

it's not just a matter of illegality

it's a matter of different category, degree and morality

Good point.

[Eugene]

7. He wants leniency but he refuses to come clean on what he did.

Somehow, I don't think this will fly.

[Person 2713]

19. Latest news here in IL shows 4 students if he came clean who knows?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-dennis-hastert-investigation-met-20160406-story.html

[Solly Mack]

7. Since Hastert doesn't have the insight to reconcile his sexual predation to who he thinks he is now

then perhaps someone can explain it to him while he serves time.

"Neither we as his lawyers, nor Mr. Hastert, have the present insight to understand and reconcile the unfortunate and harmful incidents he caused decades ago with the enduring achievements, leadership, and generosity that earned him extraordinary affection and respect throughout this country during his many years of public service,"

"What we do know is that he will stand before the Court having deteriorated both physically and emotionally, undoubtedly in part due to public shaming and humiliation of an unprecedented degree."

What a crock of shit.

[WhiteTara]

9. boo and wah

"What we do know is that he will stand before the Court having deteriorated both physically and emotionally, undoubtedly in part due to public shaming and humiliation of an unprecedented degree."

Too bad for him. Maximum time, please.

[Solly Mack]

10. Exactly.

[NV Whino]

11. Fuck him.

Let's set a precedent for the rest of the slime ball congressmen who think they get get away with anything and everything.

[zentrum]

12. Jail.

[Botany]

14. Hastert was paying hush $$$ to a young man he had sex w/as a High School student as then as ....

... Speaker of the House as he was working to impeach President Clinton for a b.j..

fuck em".

[AxionExcel]

15. And at the same time little Newtie Gingrich (R) was extramaritally boinking his secretary

and Sen. David Vitter was having a grand time in diapers with high priced hookers.

There's your freaking holier-than-thous Republican Family Values, lock stock and barrel.

[WhiteTara]

17. yep! Too bad for the shame and bad health

he deserves jail.

[Person 2713]

18. Local Chicago news said there were 4 HS students at least involved and

they showed him now going to court looking weak and hopping his foot what bullshit go to jail
I hope he doesn't get away with this bullshit
Slime from day 1 of his life til today no doubt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-dennis-hastert-investigation-met-20160406-story.html
Today

[WhiteTara]

20. YEah, I saw his whiny self on tv this morning

hoping that he could get some sympathy. He gets none from me. I'm sorry he couldn't be prosecuted for his actions to those kids.

[yellowcanine]

22. "Misconduct" makes it sound like he littered in a public park.

Or something.

[WhiteTara]

23. I thought the same thing.

He could admit that he raped those boys, but that sounds like a crime not worthy of probation, so he plays on being an old man who needs sympathy for his plight.