Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday on charges that he paid $3.5 million in hush money to cover up sexual misconduct.
Hastert, 73, an Illinois Republican who was once second in line to the U.S. presidency, will likely enter a plea before a U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin.
The judge once donated $1,500 to Hastert’s reelection campaign.
The former pol was indicted Thursday on charges he lied to FBI agents to conceal payments he allegedly made to a former male student to keep quiet about sexual abuse.
If convicted, Hastert faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
SOURCE: REUVEN BLAU
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
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