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April 11, 2016

Prosecutors: Former GOP House Speaker Hastert Molested At Least Five Boys
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Federal prosecutors are saying former Republican House Speaker Dennis
Hastert molested at least five boys, as young as 14 years old, while he
was a wrestling coach in Illinois decades ago. In October, Hastert
pleaded guilty to violating bank reporting rules for giving $1.7 million
in cash to one of his victims to buy that person's silence. Hastert
faces up to five years in prison on that charge, but he will not face
any sexual abuse charges because the statute of limitations has run out.
Hastert served as House speaker from 1999 to 2007, making him the
longest-serving Republican speaker in history. He played a lead role in
the impeachment of President Clinton. On Saturday, Hastert's attorney
said, "Mr. Hastert acknowledges that as a young man, he committed
transgressions for which he is profoundly sorry."


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