Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Suffered Stroke in November

Former US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has been recovering in a hospital since suffering a stroke in the first week of November.

Hastert’s lawyer, Tom Green, said in a statement that in addition to the stroke, Hastert was also treated for sepsis and had two surgeries performed on his back.

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“We are hopeful that Mr. Hastert will be released from the hospital in the early part of the new year. The family very much desires that during Mr. Hastert’s continued hospitalization his privacy will be respected,” Green said in a statement as reported by the Associated Press.

Hastert pleaded guilty in October to charges of lying to the FBI and evading currency reports. He will face probation or up to six months in jail and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 29.

He 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 before reversing his plea in October.