[MRadtke]

Regardless of whatever Hastert may have done, how come I haven't heard anything about charges pressed against the blackmailer?

[DiogenesLamp]

Regardless of whatever Hastert may have done, how come I haven't heard anything about charges pressed against the blackmailer?

I have not heard that there was a blackmailer. It may very well be that Hastert approached someone he abused and offered to pay them this much money in order to keep his abuse quiet. It may be the opposite of blackmail, a sort of before the fact "hush money."