Dennis Hastert Reports to Prison for Financial Crimes - from TRUNEWS

Dennis Hastert was once second in line to the presidency…but in prison, he’ll be inmate number 47991-424.

Hastert was convicted of financial crimes related to the sexual abuse of wrestlers he coached in the 60s and 70s, and given a 15 month sentence.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert leaves the Dirksen Federal courthouse after his sentencing hearing in Chicago, Illinois, United States April 27, 2016. REUTERS/Frank Polich/File Photo

The 74 year old would have faced a longer term if not for his age and poor health.

Former federal prisoner Betty Loren Maltese says Hastert now faces daily humiliations like strip searches.

“That is the worst thing, most humiliating thing to go through.” – Betty Loren-Maltese, Federal Prisoner from Cicero, Illinois

In Plano, Illinois, residents say Hastert has brought shame on his home town.

“I feel ashamed for the community on what Denny Hastert did. I feel ashamed to be from Plano.” – Deanna Allison, Plano, Illinois

Hastert pleaded guilty to paying hush money to one of his victims, and admitted sexually abusing young boys though he wasn’t convicted of sexual abuse.

For the longest serving Republican speaker in history, it’s been a long and humiliating fall from grace.

The Humiliating End of a Long Political Career for Hastert

Hastert, once a revered figure in Illinois politics, will serve his sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, said two sources with knowledge of the case, who declined to be named.

The media office at the Federal Bureau of Prisons was not immediately available for comment.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin sentenced Hastert, 74, to 15 months in prison, but the time could be reduced for good behavior. Durkin said he would have given him a longer sentence if it had not been for Hastert‘s age and poor health.

Hastert, the longest-serving Republican House speaker in history, pleaded guilty last year to the crime of structuring, which involves withdrawing a large sum of money in small increments to avoid detection.

Hastert was taking the money out of his bank accounts to pay a promised $3.5 million in compensation for pain and suffering to one of his five sexual abuse victims, he admitted in his plea agreement and at his sentencing hearing.

Hastert has not been charged with or convicted of sex abuse due to the statute of limitations, but at his sentencing hearing in April, he admitted to sexual abuse of boys when he was a high school teacher and coach in his hometown of Yorkville, Illinois.

The Federal Medical Center has a total of 678 inmates and is designed for male prisoners who need special medical care, according to its website. Hastert nearly died last year after suffering a stroke and being treated for a severe blood infection and undergoing surgery for a spinal infection, his lawyers said in court filings last year.

(Reporting by Fiona Ortiz; Editing by Leslie Adler)

The post Dennis Hastert Reports to Prison for Financial Crimes appeared first on TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles.

from TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles http://ift.tt/28UYclU
via IFTTT