At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin stated that, if the two sides do not reach a deal, he would like to see Hastert’s trial start in March or April. In an indictment in May, Hastert was accused of paying $3.5 million to “Individual A” for past misconduct. Many sources claim the payments were made to help hide sexual misconduct claims from years ago.
Advertisement
Hastert, who is out on bond, was not in court on Monday because the judge said he did not have to appear.
Hastert lives just west of Chicago, near Yorkville, where he was a teacher and coached high school wrestling until 1981.
The judge set an October 15 deadline for updates.
Authorities have alleged that he structured cash withdrawals of less than $10000 to avoid rules of financial reporting and when the Federal Bureau of Investigation questioned him, he said he was withdrawing the money since he didn’t trust banks.
One of Hastert’s attorneys, John Gallo, told the judge they have been discussing with federal prosecutors a possible resolution to the case short of a trial.
“That’s the blade they have been dangling over his head”, stated Andrew Herman, an eminent Washington-based attorney who previously embodied clients besieged by ethics inquiries in Congress.
Durkin, during the same hearing, warned that he might be obligated to reveal potentially sensitive details in his rulings if the defense raised the issues in any motion to dismiss the indictment. They said prosecutors would likely want to provide jurors with at least a few information about the underlying allegations that aren’t detailed in the indictment, such as the identity of “Individual A”.
Advertisement
Hastert’s lead attorney, Thomas C. Green, argued that the allegations in the media of past sexual misconduct – which he blamed on government leaks – had presented a quandary for the defense. He has pleaded not guilty.
