Former U.S. Speaker Pleads Not Guilty to Abuse Cover-Up
Former U.S. House speaker Dennis Hastert, who was once second in line to the presidency, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to lying to the FBI in an attempt to cover up alleged past misdeeds.
Hastert was allegedly making massive payments to a former high school student whom he is said to have sexually abused decades ago, law enforcement officials told local media.
Hastert is not facing any charges related to the alleged abuse.
Instead, he is accused of breaking banking laws when trying to hide $1.7 million in cash bank withdrawals and lying to the FBI when they questioned him about the suspicious activity.
It was a remarkable fall from grace for a man who was once one of the most powerful people in Washington and the longest serving Republican speaker in the House of Representatives.
Source: Agence France Presse
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