Alleged sex abuse victim may testify at Dennis Hastert sentencing
CHICAGO – An alleged sex abuse victim of Dennis Hastert could testify about his emotional trauma next month at the former U.S. speaker’s sentencing in his hush-money case, according to a transcript of an unannounced court hearing this week during which the court linked sex-abuse allegations to the Illinois Republican for the first time.
Hastert, 74, pleaded guilty Oct. 28 to violating bank laws as he sought to pay $3.5 million to ensure someone referred to in the 2015 indictment only as “Individual A” stayed quiet about past misconduct by Hastert against Individual A. The misconduct dated back decades to around the time Hastert was a high school wrestling coach.
The Associated Press and other media outlets, citing anonymous sources, previously reported that Hastert wanted to hide claims he sexually molested someone, but the issue hadn’t been raised in unsealed filings or in court until this week.
The transcript of Tuesday’s federal court hearing, provided Wednesday to the AP, doesn’t mention Individual A or raise the prospect that that person might speak at sentencing. Instead, it recounts the judge speaking to prosecutors and attorneys about “Individual D.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Block informed Judge Thomas M. Durkin that prosecutors only recently learned “Individual D” is an alleged victim and was leaning toward testifying at sentencing, the transcript says.
“He’s not a hundred percent certain he wants to,” Block says.
Durkin said if the person wants to “talk about being a victim of sexual abuse, he’s entitled to do so because that informs my decision about the history and characteristics of the defendant.”
The defense said it doesn’t plan on challenging allegations made by Individual D, but also urged the court to consider taking his account in writing rather than having him testify during sentencing. Block said it was important for Individual D to describe how the alleged abuse impacted him.
“The fact that the defense may not challenge the specifics of what the defendant did to Mr. D does not mean the Court shouldn’t consider the effects on Individual D … how this has affected his life,” Block said at the hearing.
The transcript also says a sister of another alleged victim has told prosecutors she wants to testify.
Hastert’s attorney, Thomas Green, raised reservations about testimony from both potential witnesses.
Durkin said the two would be able to speak at the hearing.