Dennis Hastert Sexual Abuse Scandal: Guilty Plea For Former Speaker Of The House Over Hush-Money Plan

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and his lawyers reached a deal to plead guilty on charges that he agreed to pay $3.5 million in hush-money to cover up for so-called "wrongdoing" while he was a high school teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville, Illinois. Hastert is now scheduled to appear again before a U.S. District Court Oct. 28, and a written plea agreement will be given to the judge on Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The indictment indicated that Hastert lied to the FBI about the motivation for withdrawing $952,000 in cash over a two-and-a-half year period. The indictment does not outright say that the money was meant for the cover up of a sexual assault on a high school student while he was a teacher, however it does hint at the possibility. Federal law enforcement officials, too, have indicated to the Chicago Tribune that was the likely reason for the money exchange.

This isn't the first court appearance of the year for the former speaker. In June he pleaded not guilty to evading currency reporting requirements and lying to the FBI. He is free on his own recognizance.