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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hastert abuse claims likely too old for charges

Legal experts say former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is unlikely to face charges on any sexual abuse he may have committed in the 1960s or 1970s. When Hastert taught and coached in the Chicago suburb of Yorkville, Illinois’ statute of limitations for sexual abuse was three years. State legislators have since extended that period, but those changes are not retroactive.

There is no federal law for criminal sexual abuse that might apply.

In more recent cases, prosecutors have 20 years from the time the sexual abuse victim turns 18 to charge the attacker.

A new state law that took effect in 2014 provides prosecutors an unlimited amount of time to charge someone under certain circumstances. But that law only applies to abuse that happened from 2014 on.

If he were accused of any sex offenses from the 1990s or 2000s, Hastert could face charges, though it would depend on a list of variables and complicated legal algebra, including when a police report was filed or when the victim became aware of the abuse.

However, no one has filed complaints or police reports about Hastert with prosecutors in Kendall County, where Yorkville is located.

Associated Press