Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert, who pleaded guilty in October in a hush-money case stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct, has suffered a stroke, his lawyer said on Thursday. “While in the hospital, two back surgeries were performed”, Green said. He could face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000, although federal prosecutors have recommended a six-month sentence.
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When U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin asked him if he was in good health, Hastert quipped, “Considering I am 73 years old, yes”.
As part of a plea deal, Hastert pleaded guilty only to the count of hiding money transactions.
Dodie Ingemunson (IHNG’-muhn-suhn) tells The Associated Press that Hastert told her husband, Dallas Ingemunson, that the Republican was suffering from sepsis and had undergone a “couple of back surgeries”.
The former speaker is awaiting sentencing in a federal hush-money case.
Hastert’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 29, but that could be delayed if he is not healthy enough to attend.
FILE – In this October 28, 2015 file photo, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert leaves the federal courthouse in Chicago.
Pollard wrote in the letter that “in light of” Hastert’s “recent hospital stay”, he hoped the sentence would be probation.
Hastert’s attorney Thomas Green issued a statement Thursday confirming the news. He adds that Hastert “was known as a man of integrity”.
Two women co-signed a letter to the judge last month in which they praised Hastert for championing special education funding while he was a lawmaker.
The former IL congressman was the longest-serving Republican speaker of the House.
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In his plea agreement with prosecutors, Hastert admitted he arranged with a person identified only as Individual A in 2010 to pay a total of $3.5 million to cover up misconduct from his days as a wrestling coach and teacher in Yorkville.
