Yep. When Rush keeps repeating that he’s being prosecuted simply for “taking his own money out of his own bank account and giving it to someone” I get a bit annoyed. Had he not molested a boy, there wouldn’t be any need to pay a blackmailer.
Why isn’t the blackmailer in prison?
As I mentioned in my previous message, whomever he is paying may not be a blackmailer at all. (i.e. someone who threatens to expose someone unless they get paid.)
It may very well be that Hastert himself went to them and offered to pay so much if they would keep the whole thing quiet.
What i'm saying here is that there is possibly no "mens rea" on the part of the person receiving the money. That they never threatened Hastert with exposure and that it was *HIS* idea to start paying them restitution, or whatever.