Dennis Hastert victim’s lawsuit can proceed, judge rules
CHICAGO – The morning after Dennis Hastert was sentenced to a 15-month prison term in federal court, a lawsuit brought by the man at the center of the disgraced former U.S. House speaker’s downfall took center stage in a Kendall County courtroom.
In his lawsuit, the man identified publicly only as Individual A argues Hastert still owes him $1.8 million – plus accrued interest – as part of an agreement to hide decades-old sexual abuse when Hastert was Yorkville High School’s wrestling coach.
The former wrestler alleged in the breach-of-contract suit that Hastert promised “to pay every last dollar” of their $3.5 million agreement in exchange for keeping their deal confidential but stopped payment after federal authorities questioned him in December 2014 about irregular bank withdrawals.
The lawsuit alleged Hastert molested the former standout student-athlete when he attended an overnight wrestling camp at age 14 and hadn’t yet started high school. He filed the lawsuit under the pseudonym James Doe, saying the use of his real name would cause “great psychological damage to him in the form of shame and embarrassment.” He also expressed concern about the damage it would cause his family.
Kendall County Judge Robert Pilmer ruled Thursday that lawyers for Individual A – for now – may proceed under the fictitious name, but the judge also wants them for procedural reasons to refile the suit under seal.
A full hearing on whether it remains under seal may come later.
“The only document with the name on it will be sealed in the court file,” said attorney Kristi Browne, who represents Individual A.
Neither Hastert nor Individual A was present in court. Browne acknowledged the possibility her client may someday have to testify in open court, but she said he wishes to remain private.
“He’s a very private person, and this obviously changed his life,” Browne said, “and he’s had to relive this drama every time this is in the news.”
As for Hastert’s sentence, Browne said: “I think Judge (Thomas M.) Durkin put a lot of thought into every word he said yesterday and gave a very reasoned decision.”
The case is due in court again July 25 in Yorkville.