Posted on 04/27/2016 10:11:38 AM PDT by NRx
CHICAGO —A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced former House speaker J. Dennis Hastert to 15 months in federal prison — a term above what even prosecutors had recommended and one that clearly takes into account the sexual abuse allegations that generated the criminal case against the Illinois Republican.
The sentencing marked an ignominious moment in the life of a man who was once a revered high school teacher and wrestling coach in Illinois and who ascended into the highest ranks of American politics. Even before the hearing, prosecutors had revealed in court filings how Hastert allegedly had molested or inappropriately touched five teenagers affiliated with the wrestling team he coached decades ago. U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin had indicated that he would consider that in handing down an appropriate punishment.
Hastert, reading from a prepared statement, told the judge that he was “deeply ashamed” to be in court. He acknowledged that he “mistreated some of the athletes I coached.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“Did Hastert deny the molestations? I think he apologized to the victims, didn’t he? Had he vehemently denied molesting those boys, maybe you would have a point. But he admitted it.”
He is a child molester and mere apologies after he was outted do not repair the damage he did.
He has no integrity and should have never stepped into a school house or the House of Representatives.
Hastert was the typical puppet of the GOPe. He was a horrible human being.
He’s the one who told Gingrich to resign in ‘98, then he was voted in in ‘99.
Gingrich had the GOP upset with him back then.
One of the reasons no GOP mucky mucks would endorse him when he ran for president.
Maybe his problems with the GOP back them would make him a good selection for Trump’s VP.
Yeah, see my post just below yours.
Gingrich could not be puppetized so he was pushed out.
He actually accomplished a lot when he was in the House.
The GOP was quite happy with pervert Hastert.
Agreed. And the sentence was lenient.
I think Newt would be an excellent VP and give Trump clout inside the system . I am also watching Susan Martinez, Governor of New Mexico. Notice that neither brings “ a State” Christie might but his wife appears Feminist . All eyes on Trump’s victory and VP selection. I think he is looking at Nicky Haley but she was very critical of him and she has no real gravitas. The main thing is to keep John Bolton . the Neo con, Iraq war guy out of our government.
I’m no lawyer, but this judge sounds perverse and open to being overturned.
1. He wasn’t charged with molesting “kids”. How can that affect his sentence? How can the judge even reference that?
2. What he was convicted of was using unapproved amounts of his own $$$ to pay off a blackmailer. IMHO, that shouldn’t be a crime.
3. The only victim I heard come forward was 17 at the time. Was that even a crime in Illinois back in the ‘70s?
4. Isn’t blackmail a felony? Why is this willing “victim” now a hero?
5. I don’t weep for Hastert. I weep for the end of the republic.
Yes, this country is strange...He deserved to get 15 years rather than 15 months.
The Law is sometimes, often actually, an Ass.
He was my Congressman for a time and it vexed me greatly.
I am so glad that he is dead.
Which is what tells us they could slap the cuffs on Hillary in a New York minute - but "peasant law" doesn't apply to our Masters...
Hastert should have got him some "insurance", like Jon Corzine...
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t blackmail and extortion ALSO illegal??? Will there be any charges brought against the now grown adult former victim?
I wonder why his home town/state even elected him to the house in the first place. Did they not vet people back then?
Hastert pleaded guilty to the charges against him. There can be no appeal when a defendant pleads guilty.
There was in court testimony from victims of Hastert’s sexual abuse and testimony from their family members. Those actions were the reason for the financial crimes that Hastert committed. That testimony is why the judge called Hastert “a serial molester.”
Hastert admitted in court that he had molested students and he said that he was “deeply ashamed.”
None. They’d have revealed it. The scandal of a sitting House Speaker being a boy-raper would have been overwhelming.
Turns out one of his rapees was the brother of fellow RINO former IL House Perpetual Minority Leader and rightful State Treasurer-elect Tom Cross.
I’m conflicted, what they got him on is financial nonsense that no one deserves prison for, that’s not my idea of justice. However he deserves far more than 15 months for the crimes he did commit that it’s too late to charge him with. What I would like to see is a twitter campaign urging him to pull off a Budd Dwyer special, though that may be a twitter TOS violation.
The POS was in a position to do something about those laws but instead was a big drug war supporter. Let him rot.
In your eyes...
Not in the eyes of everyone...
You have the right to your opinion and
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO MINE...
Yes you certainly do, but seeming to defend a perverted child molester is not going to be a generally popular idea, and I think you know that. By the way, no need to shout (caps) just because I disagreed with you. The right to one’s opinions goes both ways...
Tom DeLay wrote a letter of support for Dennis Hastert for the judge at sentencing:
Tom DeLay, former House majority leader: “I have known Dennis Hastert for almost 30 years. I have observed him in many different and difficult situations. He has never disappointed me in any way. He is a man of strong faith that guides him. He is a man of great integrity. He loves and respects his fellow man. I have never witnessed a time when he was unkind to anyone. He is always giving to others and helping anyone, including me so many times. We all have our flaws, but Dennis Hastert has very few. He is a good man that loves the Lord. He gets his integrity and values from Him. He doesn’t deserve what he’s going through.”
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