Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Pleads Guilty

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has pleaded guilty to charges of lying to the FBI and evading currency reports.

Hastert will face probation or up to six months in jail, according to the Chicago Tribune. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 29. Neither the prosecution or the defense is expected to call on witnesses during the sentencing.

In court, Hastert read a statement saying he didn’t want officials to know how he was going to spend the money he had been withdrawing.

Hastert allegedly made structured withdrawals from a bank so as not to have to report them and in order to pay $3.5 million in hush-money to a person only identified as Individual A.

Hastert was paying this person over alleged sexual misconduct that took place at Yorkville High School when Hastert was a teacher and wrestling coach.

Hastert pleaded not guilty in June to the charges. Also in June came allegations from Jolene Burdge, the sister of Steve Reinboldt, who claimed Hastert had sexually abused him.

Burdge claims Reinboldt told her his first same-sex experience was with Hastert. Reinboldt told Burdge he never said anything before because he thought no one would believe him. Reinboldt died in 1995 from an AIDS-related complication.

Read Hastert’s indictment below.