View source for Dennis Hastert

{{Short description|American politician (born 1942)}}
{{redirect|Hastert|other people with the surname|Hastert (surname)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Dennis Hastert
| image               = Dennis Hastert, in 108th Congressional Pictorial Directory (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, {{circa|2003–2005}}
| office              = 51st [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]
| term_start          = January 6, 1999
| term_end            = January 3, 2007
| predecessor         = [[Newt Gingrich]]
| successor           = [[Nancy Pelosi]]
| office1             = Leader of the [[House Republican Conference]]
| term_start1         = January 6, 1999
| term_end1           = January 3, 2007
| predecessor1        = [[Newt Gingrich]]
| successor1          = [[John Boehner]]
| office2             = [[House Republican Chief Deputy Whip]]
| leader2             = [[Newt Gingrich]]
| predecessor2        = [[Robert Smith Walker|Bob Walker]]
| successor2          = [[Roy Blunt]]
| term_start2         = January 3, 1995
| term_end2           = January 3, 1999
| state3              = [[Illinois]]
| district3           = {{ushr|IL|14|14th}}
| term_start3         = January 3, 1987
| term_end3           = November 26, 2007
| predecessor3        = [[John E. Grotberg|John Grotberg]]
| successor3          = [[Bill Foster (politician)|Bill Foster]]
| state_house4        = Illinois
| district4           = 82nd
| term_start4         = January 1983
| term_end4           = January 1987
| predecessor4        = Constituency established
| successor4          = [[Edward Petka]]
| state_house5        = Illinois
| district5           = 39th
| alongside5          = Sue Deuchler, Laz Murphy
| term_start5         = January 1981
| term_end5           = January 1983
| predecessor5        = William Kempiners<br>Al Schoeberlein
| successor5          = Kenneth Cole
| birth_name          = John Dennis Hastert
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1942|1|2}}
| birth_place         = [[Aurora, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Jean Kahl|1973}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[North Central College]]<br>[[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College, Illinois]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Northern Illinois University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
| signature           = Dennis Hastert signature.gif
| module              = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Speaker Dennis Hastert in Support of a House Resolution of Appreciation for Participants in Operation Iraqi Freedom.ogg |title=Hastert's voice |type=speech |description=Hastert supporting a House resolution expressing appreciation for participants in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]].<br>Recorded March 20, 2003}}
}}
'''John Dennis Hastert''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|æ|s|t|ər|t}} {{respell|HASS|tərt}}; born January 2, 1942) is an American former politician, teacher, wrestling coach, and convicted sex offender who represented {{ushr|IL|14}} from 1987 to 2007 and served as the 51st [[speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] from 1999 to 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/18/ex-speaker-dennis-hastert-released-federal-prison/487193001/ |title=Ex-speaker Dennis Hastert released from federal prison |work=[[USA TODAY]] |access-date=September 16, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106183546/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/18/ex-speaker-dennis-hastert-released-federal-prison/487193001/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert was the 6th [[List of speakers of the United States House of Representatives#Speakers by time in office|longest-serving]] Speaker of the House in history and the longest serving [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. After Democrats gained a majority in the House in 2007, Hastert resigned and began work as a lobbyist. In 2016, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for financial offenses related to the sexual abuse of teenage boys.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/><ref name="APSentencing"/>

From 1965 to 1981, Hastert was a high school teacher and coach at [[Yorkville High School]] in [[Yorkville, Illinois]]. He lost a 1980 bid for the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] but ran again and won a seat in 1981. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986 and was re-elected every two years until he retired in 2007. Hastert rose through the Republican ranks in the House, becoming [[Whip (politics)#United States|chief deputy whip]] in 1995 and speaker in 1999. As Speaker of the House, Hastert supported the [[George W. Bush administration]]'s foreign and domestic policies. After Democrats took control of the House in 2007 following the [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections|2006 elections]], Hastert declined to seek the position of minority leader, resigned his House seat, and became a lobbyist at the firm of [[Dickstein Shapiro]].

In May 2015, Hastert was indicted on federal charges of [[structuring]] bank withdrawals to evade [[currency transaction report|bank reporting requirements]] and [[making false statements]] to federal investigators. Federal prosecutors said that the funds withdrawn by Hastert were used as [[hush money]] to conceal his past sexual misconduct.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/bf2526ed027049c4b1697bde8e0e1d76|title=Judge: Hastert victim broke terms of $3.5M hush-money deal|last=Tarm|first=Michael|website=apnews.com|date=September 12, 2019 |access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207043844/https://apnews.com/article/bf2526ed027049c4b1697bde8e0e1d76|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="APSentencing" /> In October 2015, Hastert entered into a [[plea agreement]] with prosecutors. Under the agreement, Hastert [[Guilty plea|pleaded guilty]] to the structuring charge (a [[felony]]); the charge of making false statements was dropped.<ref name="PleadsGuiltyNYT">{{cite news|first1=Monica|last1=Davey|first2=Mitch|last2=Smith|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/29/us/dennis-hastert-guilty-plea.html|title=Dennis Hastert, Ex-Speaker of House, Pleads Guilty|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 28, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413070636/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/29/us/dennis-hastert-guilty-plea.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In court submissions filed in April 2016, federal prosecutors alleged that Hastert had [[child sexual abuse|molested]] at least four boys as young as 14 years of age during his time as a high school wrestling coach.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing">{{cite news|first1=Monica|last1=Davey|first2=Mitch|last2=Smith|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/09/us/dennis-hastert-molested-at-least-four-boys-prosecutors-say.html|title=Hastert Molested at Least Four Boys, Prosecutors Say|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106183738/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/09/us/dennis-hastert-molested-at-least-four-boys-prosecutors-say.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At a sentencing hearing, Hastert admitted that he had sexually abused boys whom he had coached.<ref name="TribSentencing" /> Referring to Hastert as a "serial child molester", a federal judge imposed a sentence of 15 months in prison, two years' [[supervised release]], and a $250,000 fine.<ref name="APSentencing">{{cite news|last=Tarm|first=Michael|date=April 27, 2016|title=Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison|work=[[WBEZ]]|url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/dennis-hastert-sentenced-to-15-months-in-prison/62c95fc7-2dc9-4c5d-8a70-ef5131a2140a|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=February 19, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106164730/https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/dennis-hastert-sentenced-to-15-months-in-prison/62c95fc7-2dc9-4c5d-8a70-ef5131a2140a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTSentence" /> Hastert was imprisoned in 2016 and was released 13 months later.<ref name="MadhaniReleased">{{cite news|first=Aamer|last=Madhani|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/18/ex-speaker-dennis-hastert-released-federal-prison/487193001/|title=Ex-Speaker Dennis Hastert released from federal prison|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106183546/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/18/ex-speaker-dennis-hastert-released-federal-prison/487193001/|url-status=live}}</ref> He became the highest-ranking elected official in U.S. history to serve a prison sentence.<ref name="APSentencing" /><ref>[[Donald Trump]] was found guilty of [[Criminal trial of Donald Trump in New York|34 felonies]], and after being declared winner of the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]] was sentenced to [[Discharge (sentence)|unconditional discharge]], receiving no prison time. [[Spiro Agnew#Criminal investigation and resignation|Spiro Agnew]], while vice president in 1973, pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] to felony tax fraud, and he too was not given any prison sentence, but resigned from office upon being fined $10,000 and placed on three years' unsupervised probation.</ref>

==Early life and early career==
Hastert was born on January 2, 1942, in [[Aurora, Illinois]], the eldest of two sons of Naomi (née Nussle) and Jack Hastert.<ref name="Fast Facts">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/us/dennis-hastert-fast-facts/|title=Fast Facts: Dennis Hastert|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530015100/http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/us/dennis-hastert-fast-facts/ |archive-date=May 30, 2015|website=[[CNN]]|date=September 26, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Smith">{{cite news|first=Lisa|last=Smith|url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=139531|title=Hastert returns to his humble beginnings after historic career|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=February 21, 2008|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529074836/http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=139531|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert is of [[Luxembourg American|Luxembourgish]] and [[Norwegian American|Norwegian descent]] on his father's side, and of [[German American|German descent]] on his mother's.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Speaker: Lessons from forty years in coaching and politics|last=Hastert|first=Dennis|date=2004|publisher=[[Regnery Publishing]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=9780895261267|pages=[https://archive.org/details/speakerlessonsfr0000hast/page/13 13–14]|oclc=55765706|url=https://archive.org/details/speakerlessonsfr0000hast/page/13}}</ref>

Hastert grew up in a rural Illinois farming community. His middle-class family owned a farm supply business and a family farm; Hastert bagged and hauled feed and performed farm chores.<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Eilperin">{{cite news|first1=Ceci|last1=Connolly|first2=Juliet|last2=Eilperin|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm|title=Hastert Steps Up to Leading Role|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 5, 1999|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> As a young man, Hastert also worked shifts in the family's [[Plainfield, Illinois|Plainfield]] restaurant, The Clock Tower, where he was a [[fry cook]].<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Connolly">{{cite news|last=Connolly|first=Ceci|date=December 21, 1998|title=Plain-Talking Hastert Poised to Be Speaker|page=A1|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert became a [[born-again Christian]] as a teenager, during his sophomore year of high school.<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Kemper1999">{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Kemper|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/04/11/house-speaker-dennis-hastert-can-win-friends-but-can-he-influence-people/|title=House Speaker Dennis Hastert Can Win Friends, But Can He Influence People?|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 11, 1999|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529114845/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-04-11/features/9904110405_1_denny-yorkville-high-school-eyes|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert attended [[Oswego High School (Illinois)|Oswego High School]], where he was a star [[scholastic wrestling|wrestler]] and [[High school football|football]] player.<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Eilperin"/>

Hastert briefly attended [[North Central College]], but later transferred to [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]], a Christian [[liberal arts college]].<ref name="Eilperin"/> Jim Parnalee, Hastert's roommate at North Central who transferred with him to Wheaton, was a [[Marine Corps Reserve]] member who in 1965 became the school's first student to be [[Vietnam War casualties|killed in Vietnam]]. Hastert continued to visit Parnalee's family each year in Michigan.<ref name="Eilperin"/><ref name="Kemper1999"/> Because of a wrestling injury, Hastert never served in the military. In 1964, Hastert graduated from Wheaton with a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in economics.<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Eilperin"/><ref name="Dickstein">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150325174432/http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/people/speaker-j-dennis-hastert Official biography] from [[Dickstein Shapiro]] (this profile was removed from the firm's website after Hastert resigned following the announcement of the indictment, but the [[Internet Archive]] preserved a copy of the profile as it appeared on March 25, 2015).</ref> In 1967, he received his [[Master of Science|M.S.]] in [[philosophy of education]] from [[Northern Illinois University]] (NIU).<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Dickstein"/> In his first year of graduate school, Hastert spent three months in Japan as part of the [[People to People Student Ambassador Program]].<ref name="Hastert, p. 214">Hastert, p. 214.</ref> One of Hastert's fellow group members is [[Tony Podesta]] (then the president of the Young Democrats at [[University of Illinois at Chicago|University of Illinois at Chicago Circle]]).<ref name="Hastert, p. 214"/>

[[File:Denny's State Champion Wrestling Team (1976).jpg|thumb|right|Hastert (top left) while he was a [[scholastic wrestling|high school wrestling]] coach in 1976]]
Hastert was employed by [[Yorkville Community Unit School District 115]] for 16 years, from 1965 to 1981.<ref name="DeBonis">{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=DeBonis|first2=Paul|last2=Kane|first3=Mark|last3=Berman|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-indicted-over-alleged-secret-payments/2015/05/29/dad237be-05f7-11e5-a428-c984eb077d4e_story.html|title=Former House speaker Dennis Hastert indicted over alleged secret payments|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155240/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-indicted-over-alleged-secret-payments/2015/05/29/dad237be-05f7-11e5-a428-c984eb077d4e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert began working there, at age 23, while still attending NIU.<ref name="Smith"/> Throughout that time, Hastert worked as a teacher at [[Yorkville High School]] (teaching government, history, economics, and sociology), where he also served as a football and wrestling coach.<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="LozadaMemoir">{{cite news|first=Carlos|last=Lozada|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2015/05/29/what-dennis-hasterts-memoir-reveals-about-his-years-as-a-high-school-teacher-and-coach/|title=What Dennis Hastert's memoir reveals about his years as a high school teacher and coach|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155134/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2015/05/29/what-dennis-hasterts-memoir-reveals-about-his-years-as-a-high-school-teacher-and-coach/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert led the school's wrestling team to the 1976 state title and was later named Illinois Coach of the Year.<ref name="Smith"/> According to federal prosecutors, during the time that he coached wrestling, Hastert sexually abused at least four of his students.<ref>{{cite web|first=Emma|last=Bowman|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/09/473606337/prosecutors-say-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-abused-4|title=Prosecutors Say Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Abused At Least 4|website=[[NPR]]|date=April 9, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155212/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/09/473606337/prosecutors-say-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-abused-4|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hastert was a [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scout]] volunteer with [[Exploring (Learning for Life)|Explorer]] Post 540 of Yorkville for 17 years, during his time as a schoolteacher and coach.<ref name="KirkReact">{{cite news|first1=Angie Leventis|last1=Lourgos|first2=Christy|last2=Gutowski|first3=Steve|last3=Lord|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reaction-0530-20150529-story.html|title=Ex-Yorkville school chief recalls no misconduct complaints against Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420135857/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reaction-0530-20150529-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert reportedly traveled with the Explorers on trips to the [[Grand Canyon]], the [[Bahamas]], [[Minnesota]], and the [[Green River (Colorado River)|Green River]] in Utah.<ref name="KirkReact"/><ref name="timesshear"/>

In 1973, Hastert married a fellow teacher at the high school, Jean Kahl, with whom he had two sons.<ref name="Eilperin"/>

==Illinois House of Representatives==
Hastert considered applying to become an assistant principal at the school, but then decided to enter politics, although at the time "he knew nothing about politics."<ref name="Smith"/> Hastert approached Phyllis Oldenburg, a Republican operative in [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall County]], seeking advice on running for a seat in the [[Illinois Legislature]].<ref name="Smith"/>

Hastert lost a 1980 Republican [[Partisan primary|primary]] for the [[Illinois House of Representatives]], but showed a talent for campaigning, and after the election, volunteered for an influential [[Illinois State Senate|state senator]], [[John E. Grotberg]].<ref name="Smith"/> In the summer of 1980, however, State Representative Al Schoeberiein had become terminally ill, and local Republican party officials selected Hastert as the successor over two major rivals, lawyer [[Tom Johnson (Illinois politician)|Tom Johnson]] of [[West Chicago, Illinois|West Chicago]] and Mayor Richard Verbic of [[Elgin, Illinois|Elgin]].<ref name="Eilperin"/><ref name="Kemper1999"/> The first round of balloting resulted in a tie, but Hastert was chosen after Grotberg interceded on Hastert's behalf.<ref name="Eilperin"/> Hastert, fellow Republican [[Suzanne Deuchler]] and Democratic incumbent [[Lawrence Murphy (Illinois politician)|Lawrence Murphy]] were elected that year.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Deuchler|first=Suzanne|subject-link=Suzanne Deuchler|interviewer=Mark R. DePue|title=Interview with Suzanne Deuchler # ISL-A-L-2011-016|work=Legislators Project|date=June 3, 2011|publisher=[[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]]|access-date=June 20, 2021|url=https://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/library/collections/oralhistory/illinoisstatecraft/legislators/Documents/DeuchlerSuzanne/Deuchler_Suz_4FNL.pdf|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921193638/https://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/library/collections/oralhistory/illinoisstatecraft/legislators/Documents/DeuchlerSuzanne/Deuchler_Suz_4FNL.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Hastert served three terms in the state House from the 82nd district,<ref name="Kemper1999"/><ref name="ILGA">{{cite web |title=State of Illinois 90th General Assembly Legislation |url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/hrgroups/hr/900HR0724LV.html |website=ilga.gov |publisher=Illinois General Assembly |access-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228175838/https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/hrgroups/hr/900HR0724LV.html |url-status=live }}</ref> where he served on the Appropriations Committee.<ref name="Eilperin"/> According to a 1999 ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' profile, in the state House "Hastert quickly staked out a place on the far right of the political spectrum, once earning a place on the '[[Moral Majority]] Honor Roll.' Yet, he also displayed yeoman-like work habits and an ability to put aside partisanship."<ref name="Kemper1999"/> He gained a reputation as a dealmaker and party leader known for "asking his colleagues to write their spending requests on a notepad so he could carry them into negotiating sessions" and holding early-morning pre-meetings to organize talking points.<ref name="Eilperin"/> One of his first moves in the House was to help block passage of the [[Equal Rights Amendment]]; the state House Speaker [[George Ryan]] appointed Hastert to a committee that worked to prevent the ERA from coming to the House floor.<ref name="Kemper1999"/> In the state House, Hastert opposed [[LGBT rights in the United States|bills barring discrimination against gays]]; supported (unsuccessfully) proposals to raise the [[Driver's license in the United States|driving age]] to 18; and voted for a [[Seat belt legislation in the United States|mandatory seat belt]] law, although he later voted to repeal it.<ref name="Kemper1999"/>

In 1986, at the urging of [[Governor of Illinois|Governor]] [[James R. Thompson]], Hastert developed a plan to deregulate Illinois utility companies.<ref name="Kemper1999"/> Under the plan developed by Hastert and Republican staffers, [[Property tax|property]] and [[Gross receipts tax|gross-receipts taxes]] that utilities paid would be eliminated and replaced with a "state service tax" that service-industry businesses (ranging from insurers to funeral homes) would pay.<ref name="Kemper1999"/> Critics of the plan said that it was too favorable to utility companies, and the proposal was not adopted.<ref name="Kemper1999"/>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
{{Conservatism US|expanded=politicians}}
Meanwhile, Hastert's political mentor Grotberg had been elected to Congress as the representative from [[Illinois's 14th congressional district|Illinois's 14th district]], which covered a swath of exurban territory west of Chicago. Grotberg was diagnosed with [[cancer]] in 1986, and was unable to run for a second term.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name="Eilperin" /> Hastert was nominated to replace him; in the general election in November 1986, he defeated Democratic candidate Mary Lou Kearns, the [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane County]] [[coroner]], in a relatively close race.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name="Eilperin" />

Hastert was then reelected in his [[Fox Valley (Illinois)|Fox Valley]]-centered district several times, by wider margins, aided by his role in [[redistricting]] following the [[1990 United States census|1990 Census]].<ref name="Eilperin" />

Following the [[House banking scandal]], which broke in 1992, it was revealed that Hastert had [[Non-sufficient funds|bounced]] 44 checks during the period under investigation.<ref name="Kemper1999" /><ref name="BankingScandalClear">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/09/15/us-clears-rep-hastert-in-house-banking-scandal/|title=U.S. Clears Rep. Hastert In House Banking Scandal|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=September 15, 1992|access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609095424/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-09-15/news/9203240062_1_house-banking-scandal-house-bank-scandal-list-of-house-members|url-status=live}}</ref> A Justice Department special counsel said there was no reason to believe Hastert had committed any crime in overdrawing his accounts.<ref name="BankingScandalClear" />

As a protégé of [[House Minority Leader]] [[Robert H. Michel]], Hastert rose through the Republican ranks in the House, and in 1995 (after the Republicans gained control of the House and [[Newt Gingrich]] became Speaker), Hastert became chief deputy [[Whip (politics)|whip]].<ref name="Eilperin" /> Michel appointed Hastert to the Republicans' health care task force,<ref name="Kemper1999" /> where Hastert became a "prominent voice" in helping defeat the [[Clinton health care plan of 1993]].<ref name="Picard">{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Picard|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/206570-hastert-recalls-his-time-in-the-backroom/|title=Hastert recalls his time in the backroom|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611112354/http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/206570-hastert-recalls-his-time-in-the-backroom|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AllenVox">{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Allen|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2015/5/29/8685775/dennis-hastert-secrets|title=Dennis Hastert has a history of keeping secrets|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222226/http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2015/5/29/8685775/dennis-hastert-secrets|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hastert developed a close working relationship with [[Tom DeLay]], the House majority whip, and was widely seen as DeLay's deputy.<ref name="Eilperin" /> Hastert and DeLay first worked together in 1989, on [[Edward Madigan]]'s unsuccessful race against Gingrich for minority whip. Hastert later managed DeLay's successful campaign to become whip.<ref name="Eilperin" /> In September 1998, the two added an extra $250,000 to the Defense Department appropriations bill for "[[pharmacokinetics]] research" which paid for an Army experiment with [[nicotine gum|nicotine chewing gum]] manufactured by the Amurol Confections Company in Yorkville, in Hastert's district.<ref name="Eilperin" /><ref name="Gum">{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=Dorning|first2=Michael|last2=Kilian|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/10/14/hastert-sticks-gum-money-into-the-budgets-fine-print/|title=Hastert Sticks Gum Money Into The Budget's Fine Print|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=October 14, 1998|access-date=June 3, 2015|archive-date=July 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711201008/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-10-14/news/9810140104_1_chewing-gum-rep-dennis-hastert|url-status=live}}</ref> On the House floor, Democratic Representative [[Peter DeFazio]] criticized the insertion of the provision; Hastert defended it.<ref name="Gum" /> Hastert played "[[Good cop/bad cop|good cop]]" to DeLay's "bad cop."<ref>''How Congress Works'', 5th ed. (Congressional Quarterly Press: 2013), p. 25 ("DeLay was often seen as the 'bad cop' to Hastert's "good cop").</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=Susan|last1=Welch|first2=John|last2=Gruhl|first3=John|last3=Comer|first4=Susan|last4=Rigdon|title=Understanding American Government|publisher=[[Cengage]]|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=2012|isbn=978-0-495-91050-3|page=281|quote=Hastert became a much more forceful leader, playing velvet-covered mallet to DeLay's hammer in what some saw as a good cop-bad cop ploy.}}</ref>

On the eve of his elevation to Speaker, Hastert was described as "deeply conservative at heart" by the [[Associated Press]].<ref name="Loven">{{cite news|first=Jennifer|last=Loven|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19981223&id=K_EyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6711,5780805&hl=en|title=Hastert moderate-mannered but deeply conservative|newspaper=[[The Free-Lance Star]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=December 23, 1998|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426120716/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19981223&id=K_EyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6711%2C5780805&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The AP reported: "He is an [[evangelical Christian]] who opposes [[abortion]] and advocates lower taxes, a [[Balanced budget amendment|balanced-budget amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution|Constitution]] and the [[death penalty]]. He spearheaded the GOP's fight against using sampling techniques to take the next census. Such groups as the [[National Right to Life Committee]], the [[Christian Coalition of America|Christian Coalition]], the [[United States Chamber of Commerce|Chamber of Commerce]] and the [[NRA Political Victory Fund]] all gave his voting record perfect scores of 100. The [[American Conservative Union]] gave him an 88. Meanwhile, the liberal [[Americans for Democratic Action]], the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] and labor organizations such as the [[AFL–CIO]] and the [[Teamsters]] each gave Hastert zero points. The [[League of Conservation Voters]] rated him a 13."<ref name="Loven" />

Hastert criticized the [[Clinton administration]]'s plans to conduct the [[2000 United States census|2000 Census]] using sampling techniques.<ref name="Eilperin" /> Hastert was a supporter of the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA), and in 1993 voted to approve the trade pact.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Michael|last1=Arndt|first2=Elaine S.|last2=Povich|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/11/17/nafta-backers-closing-in/|title=Nafta Backers Closing In: For Lobbyists, Dash To Deadline|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 17, 1993|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529090612/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-11-17/news/9311170238_1_nafta-clinton-team-five-votes|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a [[Gun politics in the United States|gun rights]] supporter who voted against the [[Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act]] and [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]].<ref name="Kemper1999" />

Hastert was the "House Republicans' leader on anti-narcotics efforts"<ref name="Loven" /> and was a strong supporter of the [[war on drugs]].<ref name="Eilperin" /><ref name="FrontLine">{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Kilian|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/28/hastert-goes-to-front-lines-in-drug-war/|title=Hastert Goes To Front Lines In Drug War|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 28, 1996|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529092723/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-04-28/news/9604280035_1_hastert-drug-war-anti-drug|url-status=live}}</ref> In this role, he campaigned to bar [[needle-exchange programs]] from receiving federal funds,<ref name="Loven" /> and criticized the Clinton administration for what he believed was insufficient funding for [[drug interdiction]] efforts.<ref name="Eilperin" /><ref name="FrontLine" />

In redistricting following the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], Hastert brokered a deal with Democratic Representative [[William Lipinski]], also from Illinois, that "protected the reelection prospects of almost every Illinois incumbent."<ref name="PalmerSimon229">{{cite book|first1=Barbara|last1=Palmer|first2=Dennis|last2=Simon|title=Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling: Women and Congressional Elections|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|location=London, England|date=2006|isbn=978-0-415-95088-6|page=229}}</ref> The deal easily passed the divided Illinois Legislature.<ref name="PalmerSimon229" />

===Committee assignments and House positions===
Hastert served on the following House [[United States congressional committee|committees]] and in the following House positions. (This list does not include subcommittee assignments or positions within the Republican Conference).

*[[100th United States Congress|100th Congress]] (1987–1989) – [[United States House Committee on Government Operations|Government Operations]]; [[United States House Committee on Public Works and Transportation|Public Works and Transportation]]<ref>[http://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/document.php?id=cqal87-853-25676-1143270 House Committee Assignments, 100th Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414081559/https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/login.php?requested=%2Fcqalmanac%2Fdocument.php%3Fid%3Dcqal87-853-25676-1143270 |date=April 14, 2023 }}, ''CQ Almanac 1987''.</ref><ref>[http://www.c-span.org/person/?jhastert Dennis Hastert: Committees: 100th Congress (1987–1988)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602002701/http://www.c-span.org/person/?jhastert |date=June 2, 2015 }}, C-SPAN.</ref>
*[[101st United States Congress|101st Congress]] (1989–1991) – Government Operations; Public Works and Transportation; [[United States House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families|Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41134 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 101st Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922105409/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41134 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[102nd United States Congress|102nd Congress]] (1991–1993) – [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Energy and Commerce]]; Government Operations; Hunger<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41135 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 102nd Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922105432/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41135 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[103rd United States Congress|103rd Congress]] (1993–1995) – Energy and Commerce; Government Operations<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41136 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 103rd Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922105724/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41136 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[104th United States Congress|104th Congress]] (1995–1997) – Chief Deputy Majority Whip; Commerce; Government Reform and Oversight<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41137 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 104th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922105744/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41137 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[105th United States Congress|105th Congress]] (1997–1999) – Chief Deputy Majority Whip; Commerce; Government Reform and Oversight<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41138 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 105th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101546/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41138 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[106th United States Congress|106th Congress]] (1999–2001) – The Speaker; [[United States Congress Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies|Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41139 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 106th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101522/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41139 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[107th United States Congress|107th Congress]] (2001–2003) – The Speaker<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41140 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 107th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101108/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41140 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[108th United States Congress|108th Congress]] (2003–2005) – The Speaker; [[United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|Intelligence]] (''[[ex officio]]'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15032392049 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 108th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101043/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15032392049 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]] (2005–2007) – The Speaker; Intelligence (''ex officio'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41142 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 109th Congress |access-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922100938/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41142 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Speaker of the House===
[[File:Dennis Hastert 2.jpg|thumb|Hastert presiding over the House of Representatives during the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]].]]

In the aftermath of the [[1998 United States House of Representatives elections|1998 midterm elections]], where the GOP lost five House seats and failed to make a net gain of seats in the Senate, House Speaker [[Newt Gingrich]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] stepped down from the speakership and declined to take his seat for an 11th term. In mid-December, Representative [[Bob Livingston|Robert L. Livingston]] of [[Louisiana]]—the former chairman of the [[House Appropriations Committee]] and the Speaker-designate—stated in a dramatic surprise announcement on the House floor that he would not become Speaker, following widely publicized revelations of his extramarital affairs.<ref name="Picard" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Katharine Q.|last=Seelye|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/20/us/impeachment-the-fallout-livingston-urges-clinton-to-follow-suit.html|title=Impeachment: The Fallout: Livingston Urges Clinton to Follow Suit|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 20, 1998|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103758/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/20/us/impeachment-the-fallout-livingston-urges-clinton-to-follow-suit.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pianin">{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Pianin|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/livingston122098.htm|title=Livingston Quits as Speaker-Designate|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 20, 1998|page=A1|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=July 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708130420/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/livingston122098.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although he reportedly had no warning of Livingston's decision to step aside, Hastert "began lobbying on the House floor within moments" of Livingston's announcement, and by the afternoon of that day had secured the public backing of the House Republican leadership, including Gingrich, DeLay (who was "viewed as too partisan to step into the role of Speaker") and [[Dick Armey]] (who was "viewed as too weak" and was damaged by party infighting).<ref name="Picard" /><ref name="Pianin" /> On that day, Hastert was endorsed by about 100 Republican representatives, ranging from conservatives such as [[Steve Largent]] to moderates such as [[Mike Castle]], for the speakership.<ref name="Pianin" /> Representative [[Christopher Cox]] of California, viewed as a potential rival, decided by evening not to challenge Hastert for the speakership.<ref name="Pianin" /> Hastert became known as "the Accidental Speaker."<ref name="Dorning" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-hastert-indictment-bio-met-0529-20150528-story.html|title=Hastert, the accidental House speaker, faces own scandal after noted career|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151458/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-hastert-indictment-bio-met-0529-20150528-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In accepting the position, Hastert broke the tradition that the new speaker deliver his first address from the speaker's chair, instead delivering his 17-minute acceptance speech from the floor.<ref name="Acceptance">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/07/us/106th-congress-remarks-congress-dennis-hastert-his-first-day-speaker-house.html?pagewanted=all|title=The 106th Congress: Remarks to Congress by Dennis Hastert in His First Day as Speaker of the House|date=January 7, 1999|agency=[[Federal News Service]]|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824112217/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/07/us/106th-congress-remarks-congress-dennis-hastert-his-first-day-speaker-house.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert adopted a conciliatory tone and pledged to work for bipartisanship, saying that: "Solutions to problems cannot be found in a pool of bitterness."<ref name="Acceptance" /><ref name="Sworn">{{cite news|first=Katharine Q.|last=Seelye|url=http://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/010799house.html|title=Hastert Is Sworn In as 51st Speaker and Puts Forth a Conciliatory Tone|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 7, 1999|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071656/http://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/010799house.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nevertheless, in November 2004, Hastert instituted what became known as the [[Hastert Rule]] (or "[[majority of the majority]]" rule), which was an informal, self-imposed political practice of allowing the House to vote on only those bills that were supported by the majority of its Republican members. The practice received criticism as an unduly partisan measure both at the time it was adopted and in the subsequent years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15423-2004Nov26.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=Hastert Launches a Partisan Policy |first=Charles |last=Babington |date=November 27, 2004 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109215857/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15423-2004Nov26.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Timothy|last=Noah|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-absurdity-the-hastert-rule|title=The absurdity of the Hastert Rule|website=[[MSNBC]]|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216204631/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-absurdity-the-hastert-rule|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, the Hastert aide who coined the phrase also stated that the structure was not workable.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Molly|last=Ball|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/07/even-the-aide-who-coined-the-hastert-rule-says-the-hastert-rule-isnt-working/277961/|title=Even the Aide Who Coined the Hastert Rule Says the Hastert Rule Isn't Working|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|date=July 21, 2013|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129032533/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/07/even-the-aide-who-coined-the-hastert-rule-says-the-hastert-rule-isnt-working/277961/|url-status=live}}</ref> In any case, a number of bills subsequently passed the House without the support of a majority of the majority party in the House, as shown by a list compiled by ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/house/hastert-rule|title=House Votes Violating the "Hastert Rule"|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417130703/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/house/hastert-rule |archive-date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, after leaving office, Hastert disowned the policy, saying that "there is no Hastert Rule" and that the "rule" was more of a principle that the majority party should follow its own policies.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Alex|last=Seitz-Wald|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/dennis-hastert-there-is-no-hastert-rule-20131003|title=Dennis Hastert: 'There Is No Hastert Rule': The former House Speaker disowns his eponymous rule|magazine=[[National Journal]]|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529043330/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/dennis-hastert-there-is-no-hastert-rule-20131003|url-status=live}}</ref>

Congressional expert [[Norm Ornstein]] writes that Hastert "blew up" the House's "regular order," which is "a mix of rules and norms that allows debate, deliberation, and amendments in committees and on the House floor, that incorporates and does not shut out the minority (even if it still loses most of the time), that takes bills that pass both houses to a conference committee to reconcile differences, [and] that allows time for members and staff to read, digest, and analyze bills."<ref name="OrnsteinHastert">{{cite magazine|first=Norm|last=Ornstein|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/dennis-hastert-scandal/394754/|title=This Isn't Dennis Hastert's First Scandal|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=March 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311073223/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/dennis-hastert-scandal/394754/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ornstein commented that "no speaker did more to relegate the regular order to the sidelines than Hastert. ... The House is a very partisan institution, with rules structured to give even tiny majorities enormous leverage. But Hastert took those realities to a new and more tribalized, partisan plane."<ref name="OrnsteinHastert" /> Despite this shift, Hastert was widely seen as "affable" and low-key; he did not seek the limelight, "become a regular on [[Sunday morning talk show|Sunday talk shows]] or anything close to a household word or figure," or "openly exhibit the kind of snarling or mean partisan demeanor that made Tom DeLay such a mark of hatred for Democrats."<ref name="OrnsteinHastert" />

Hastert adopted a much lower profile in the media than conventional wisdom would suggest for a Speaker. This led to accusations that he was only a [[figurehead]] for DeLay.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Grunwald |first2=Jim |last2=VandeHei |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/15/AR2006101501096.html |title=Hastert's Team Mentality to Be Tested as Foley Scandal Unfolds |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 16, 2006 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603182805/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/15/AR2006101501096.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005, [[Tom DeLay campaign finance trial|DeLay was indicted]] by a Texas [[grand jury]] on charges of campaign finance violations. DeLay stepped down as majority leader and was replaced in that post by [[Roy Blunt]]; DeLay resigned from Congress the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/28/delay.indict/|title=DeLay indicted, steps down as majority leader: House leader calls charges 'sham'; Blunt picked as replacement|website=[[CNN]]|date=September 29, 2005|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044107/http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/28/delay.indict/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Jonathan|last1=Weisman|first2=Chris|last2=Cillizza|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301787.html|title=DeLay to Resign From Congress|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 4, 2006|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202213330/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301787.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout his term, Hastert was a strong supporter of President [[George W. Bush]]'s foreign and domestic policies. Hastert was described as a Bush loyalist who worked closely with the White House to shepherd Bush's agenda through Congress,<ref name="Smith" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Hulse|author-link=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/26/us/hastert-to-tackle-economy-in-stages.html|title=Hastert to Tackle Economy in Stages|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 26, 2003|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228181352/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/26/us/hastert-to-tackle-economy-in-stages.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The two frequently praised each other, expressed mutual respect, and had a close working relationship, even during [[Mark Foley scandal|the controversy]] over Representative [[Mark Foley]] sending sexually explicit text messages to teenage male pages.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Mark|last1=Silva|first2=Rick|last2=Pearson|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/10/13/bush-backs-hastert/|title=Bush backs Hastert: President 'proud' to stand with speaker during visit|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=October 13, 2006|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529044312/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-10-13/news/0610130145_1_bush-backs-hastert-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-president-bush|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Wallison">{{cite magazine|first=Ethan|last=Wallison|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_27/-2935-1.html|title=Hastert and Bush: Respect Fuels Relationship|magazine=[[Roll Call]]|date=September 22, 2003|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529051241/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_27/-2935-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert even provided Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] office space inside the House in the [[United States Capitol]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hulse|first1=Carl|title=Now, Dennis Hastert Seems an Architect of Congressional Dysfunction|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/03/us/politics/now-dennis-hastert-seems-an-architect-of-dysfunction-as-speaker.html?smid=pl-share|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 3, 2016|pages=A14|archive-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414081533/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/03/us/politics/now-dennis-hastert-seems-an-architect-of-dysfunction-as-speaker.html?smid=pl-share|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, Hastert and Bush met privately at the [[White House]] about twice a month to discuss congressional developments.<ref name="Wallison" />

[[Earmark (politics)|Earmarks]]—line-item projects inserted into appropriations bills at the request of individual members, and often referred to as "[[pork barrel|pork-barrel]]" spending—"exploded under [Hastert's] leadership," growing from $12 billion in 1999 (at the beginning of Hastert's term) to an all-time high of $29 billion in 2006 (Hastert's last year as speaker).<ref name="Dorning" /> Hastert himself made earmarks a personal trademark; from 1999 to May 2005, Hastert obtained $24 million in federal earmarked grant funds to groups and institutions in [[Aurora, Illinois]], Hastert's birthplace and his district's largest city.<ref name="AuroraEarmarks">{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Morgan|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/28/AR2005052801183_pf.html|title=Hastert Directs Millions to Birthplace|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 29, 2005|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183117/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/28/AR2005052801183_pf.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====106th Congress====
In March 1999, soon after Hastert's elevation to the speakership, the ''Washington Post'', in a front-page story, reported that Hastert "has begun offering industry lobbyists the kind of deal they like: private audiences where, for a price, they can voice their views on what kind of agenda the [[106th United States Congress|106th Congress]] should pursue."<ref name="EilperinMarch1999">{{cite news|first=Juliet|last=Eilperin|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert031099.htm|title=Hastert Drawing Crowds of Lobbyists|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=March 10, 1999|page=A1|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924063727/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert031099.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert's style and extensive fundraising led [[Common Cause]] to critique the "[[pay-to-play]] system" in Congress.<ref name="EilperinMarch1999" />

Hastert was known as a frequent critic of [[Bill Clinton]], and immediately upon assuming the speakership, he "played a lead role" in the [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|impeachment of the president]].<ref name="Seidel" /> Nevertheless, Hastert and the Clinton administration did work together on several initiatives, including the [[New Markets Tax Credit Program]] and [[Plan Colombia]].<ref name="Picard" />

In 2000, Hastert announced he would support an [[Armenian genocide]] resolution. Analysts noted that at the time there was a tight congressional race in California, in which might be important to have the large [[Armenians|Armenian]] community in favor of the Republican incumbent. The resolution, vehemently opposed by Turkey, had passed the Human Rights Subcommittee of the House and the International Relations Committee, but Hastert, although first supporting it, withdrew the resolution on the eve of the full House vote. He explained this by saying that he had received a letter from Clinton asking him to withdraw it because it would harm U.S. interests.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Crowley|first1=Michael|title=Final Resolution|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/61335/final-resolution|access-date=May 4, 2016|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|date=July 22, 2007|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517150820/https://newrepublic.com/article/61335/final-resolution|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though there is no evidence that a payment was made, an official at the Turkish Consulate is said to have claimed in a recording that was translated by [[Sibel Edmonds]] that the price for Hastert to withdraw the Armenian genocide resolution would have been at least $500,000.<ref name="vanity" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2005/8/10/did_speaker_hastert_accept_turkish_bribes|title=Did Speaker Hastert Accept Turkish Bribes to Deny Armenian Genocide and Approve Weapons Sales?|website=[[Democracy Now!]]|language=en|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207105830/http://www.democracynow.org/2005/8/10/did_speaker_hastert_accept_turkish_bribes|url-status=live}}</ref>

====107th Congress====
[[File:Dick Cheney at the 2003 State of the Union.jpg|thumb|right|Hastert (top right) during President [[George W. Bush]]'s [[2003 State of the Union address]].]]
"Hastert and the senior Republican leadership in the House were able to maintain [[party discipline]] to a great degree", which allowed them to regularly enact legislation, despite a narrow majority (less than 12 seats) in the 106th and 107th Congresses.<ref name="LansfordBio">{{cite book|first=Tom|last=Lansford|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAnlN82F6F0C|title=9/11 and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq: A Chronology and Reference Guide|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|location=Santa Barbara, California|date=2011|isbn= 978-1-59884-419-1|page=246}}</ref> Hastert was a strong supporter of the [[Iraq War Resolution]] and the ensuing [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] and the [[Iraq War]]. Hastert stated in the House in October 2002 that he believed there was "a direct [[Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda link allegations|connection between Iraq and al-Qaeda]]" and that the U.S. should "do all that we can to disarm [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime before they provide [[al-Qaeda]] with [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction]]."<ref>{{cite book|first=Thomas R.|last=Mockaitis|title=The Iraq War: A Documentary and Reference Guide|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]|location=Santa Barbara, California|isbn=978-0-313-34387-2|date=2012|page=69}}</ref> In a February 2003 interview with the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', Hastert "launched into a lengthy and passionate denunciation" of France's resistance to the Iraq war and stated that he wanted to go "nose-to-nose" with the country.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=Dorning|first2=Jill|last2=Zuckman|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/02/27/hastert-blisters-france-on-iraq-war-resistance/|title=Hastert blisters France on Iraq war resistance|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=February 27, 2003|access-date=June 2, 2015|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619025058/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-02-27/news/0302270377_1_iraq-policy-illinois-republican-house-speaker-dennis-hastert|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Hastert visited Iraq at Bush's request and supported a [[Financial cost of the Iraq War|supplemental Iraq War spending bill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2006/06/04/House-Speaker-Dennis-Hastert-visits-Iraq/21261149453186/|title=House Speaker Dennis Hastert visits Iraq|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|date=June 4, 2006|access-date=June 2, 2015|archive-date=December 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203014152/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2006/06/04/House-Speaker-Dennis-Hastert-visits-Iraq/21261149453186/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As Speaker, Hastert shepherded the [[USA Patriot Act]] in October 2001 to passage in the House on a 357–66 vote.<ref name="Marans">{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Marans|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/28/dennis-hastert-patriot-act_n_7465780.html|title=Patriot Act That Dennis Hastert Passed Led To His Indictment|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121000047/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/28/dennis-hastert-patriot-act_n_7465780.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2011 interview, Hastert claimed credit for its passage over the misgivings of many members.<ref name="Marans" /> Fourteen years later, federal prosecutors used the Patriot Act's expansion of [[currency transaction report]]ing requirements to indict Hastert on federal charges.<ref name="Marans" />

As speaker, Hastert also oversaw the passage of the [[No Child Left Behind Act]] of 2001, a major education bill; the [[Bush tax cuts]] in [[Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001|2001]] and [[Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003|2003 legislation]]; and the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]], which reorganized the government and created the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]].<ref name="LansfordBio" /> Although Hastert was successful in implementing Bush policy priorities, during his tenure the House also "regularly passed conservative bills only to have them blocked in the more moderate Senate."<ref name="LansfordBio" /> One such bill was an energy bill, backed by the Bush administration, which would have authorized [[Arctic Refuge drilling controversy|drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]; this provision was killed in the Senate.<ref name="LansfordBio" />

Hastert opposed the [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]] (McCain-Feingold), the landmark [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]] law.<ref name="Loven" /> In 2001, during the debate on the bill, Hastert criticized Republican Senator [[John McCain]], the bill's cosponsor, saying that McCain had "bullied" House Republicans by sending them letters in support of his campaign-finance reform proposals.<ref>{{cite web|first=Brigitte|last=Greenberg|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/national/article/Republicans-bullied-by-McCain-Hastert-says-1058612.php|title=Republicans 'bullied' by McCain, Hastert says: Speaker claims letters pitching finance bill were intimidating|website=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 1, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529091317/http://www.seattlepi.com/national/article/Republicans-bullied-by-McCain-Hastert-says-1058612.php |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> Hastert called the legislation "the worst thing that ever happened to Congress"<ref>{{cite web|first=Jill|last=Lawrence|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/former-house-leaders-say-the-current-group-has-it-rough-20130923|title=Former House Leaders Say the Current Group Has It Rough|website=[[National Journal]]|date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529090425/http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/former-house-leaders-say-the-current-group-has-it-rough-20130923 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> and expressed the view that there were "constitutional flaws" in the legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/03/29/campaign.finance.02/index.html|title=Senate to vote on McCain-Feingold measure Monday|website=[[CNN]]|date=March 29, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616015105/http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/03/29/campaign.finance.02/index.html |archive-date=June 16, 2015 }}</ref> Supporters of campaign-finance reform circumvented Hastert by means of a [[discharge petition]], a seldom-used procedural mechanism in which a measure may be brought to a floor vote (over the objections of the speaker) if an absolute majority of Representatives sign a petition in support of doing so.<ref name="Dorning">{{cite journal|first=Michael|last=Dorning|title=Dennis Hastert: The Accidental Speaker|journal=Triumphs and Tragedies of the Modern Congress: Case Studies in Legislative Leadership|publisher=Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress|location=Washington D.C.|date=2014|editor1-first=Maxmillian III|editor1-last=Angerholzer|editor2-first=James|editor2-last=Kitfield|editor3-first=Christopher P.|editor3-last=Lu|editor4-first=Norman|editor4-last=Ornstein|pages=65–68|doi=10.5040/9798216187653.ch-011 |isbn=979-8-216-18765-3 }}</ref> The discharge petition was not successfully used again<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Strand|url=http://conginst.org/2008/03/07/discharging-their-duties/|title=Discharging Their Duties|website=Congressional Institute|date=March 7, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605234956/http://conginst.org/2008/03/07/discharging-their-duties/|url-status=live}}</ref> until 2015.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Paul|last1=Singer|first2=Nathan|last2=Bomey|first3=Paul|last3=Davidson|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/26/house-uses-rare-proceedure-revive-export-import-bank/74638836/|title=House uses rare procedure to revive Export-Import bank|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=October 26, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504003214/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/26/house-uses-rare-proceedure-revive-export-import-bank/74638836/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====108th Congress====
In 2004, Hastert again feuded with McCain amid conflict between the House and the Senate over the 2005 budget.<ref name="McCainFeud">{{cite news|first1=Jonathan|last1=Weisman|first2=Mike|last2=Allen|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41083-2004May19.html|title=House Speaker Criticizes McCain: Budget Flap Leads Hastert to Question Senator's GOP Bona Fides|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 20, 2004|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803163142/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41083-2004May19.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After "McCain gave a speech excoriating both political parties for refusing to sacrifice their tax cutting and spending agendas in wartime," Hastert publicly questioned McCain's "credentials as a Republican and suggested that the decorated Vietnam War veteran did not understand the meaning of sacrifice."<ref name="McCainFeud" />

Hastert was key to the passage in November 2003 of [[Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act|key Medicare legislation]] which created [[Medicare Part D]], a prescription drug benefit.<ref name="HulseMed">{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Hulse|author-link=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/06/us/fight-to-pass-medicare-measure-raised-house-speaker-s-profile.html|title=Fight to Pass Medicare Measure Raised House Speaker's Profile|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 6, 2003|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=June 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603004227/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/06/us/fight-to-pass-medicare-measure-raised-house-speaker-s-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert's push to pass the legislation—culminating in a three-hour House vote in which the Speaker, "an imposing former wrestling coach, was literally leaning on recalcitrant lawmakers to win their support"—raised the Speaker's profile and contributed to a shift of his image from amiable and low-key to more forceful.<ref name="HulseMed" /> The extension of the vote for hours and the arm-twisting of members brought condemnation of Hastert from Democrats, with House Minority Whip [[Steny H. Hoyer]] saying: "They are corrupting the practices of the House."<ref name="HulseMed" /> The bill passed on a narrow vote of 220 to 215.<ref name="HulseInquiry">{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Hulse|author-link=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/02/politics/02ETHI.html|title=Inquiry Sought in House Vote on Drug Plan for Medicare|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 2, 2004|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529045221/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/02/politics/02ETHI.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, Hoyer called upon Hastert to initiate a House Ethics Committee investigation into statements by Representative [[Nick Smith (U.S. politician)|Nick Smith]], a Republican of [[Michigan]], who stated that groups and lawmakers had offered support for his son's campaign for Congress in exchange for Smith's support of the Medicare bill.<ref name="HulseInquiry" /> In October 2004, the House Ethics Committee admonished DeLay for pressuring Smith on the Medicare prescription-drug bill, but stated that DeLay did not break the law or House ethics rules.<ref name="Neikirk">{{cite news|first=William|last=Neikirk|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/10/08/panel-chides-delay-over-influence-use/|title=Panel chides DeLay over influence use; GOP still backs majority leader|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=October 8, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529044134/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-10-08/news/0410080231_1_delay-democrats-and-watchdog-groups-rep-nick-smith|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert issued a statement supporting DeLay, but the admonishment was viewed as harming DeLay's chances of succeeding Hastert as Speaker.<ref name="Neikirk" />

====109th Congress====
On October 27, 2005, Hastert became the first Speaker to author a [[blog]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://speaker.house.gov/journal/index.shtml |title=Speaker of the House |access-date=September 8, 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220235400/http://speaker.house.gov/journal/index.shtml |archive-date=February 20, 2006 }}</ref> On "Speaker's Journal" on his official U.S. House website, Hastert wrote in his first post: "This is Denny Hastert and welcome to my blog. This is new to me. I can't say I'm much of a techie. I guess you could say my office is teaching the old guy new tricks. But I'm excited. This is the future. And it is a new way for us to get our message out."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://speaker.house.gov/journal/051027_firstblog.shtml |title=Speaker of the House: Speaker's Journal: Welcome to My Blog |access-date=September 8, 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216102643/http://speaker.house.gov/journal/051027_firstblog.shtml |archive-date=February 16, 2006}}</ref>

On June 1, 2006, Hastert became the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House in history, surpassing the record previously held by fellow Illinoisan [[Joseph Gurney Cannon]], who held the post from November 1903 to March 1911.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-06-01-longest-speaker_x.htm|title=Hastert is longest-serving GOP speaker|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=June 1, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010042457/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-06-01-longest-speaker_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-01-0606010024-story.html|title=Hastert and history|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 1, 2006|language=en-US|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162715/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-01-0606010024-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, following [[Hurricane Katrina]], Hastert told an Illinois newspaper that "It looks like a lot of that place [referring to [[New Orleans]]] could be bulldozed" and stated that spending billions of dollars to rebuild the devastated city "doesn't make sense to me."<ref name="Babington">{{cite news|first=Charles|last=Babington|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/02/AR2005090202156.html|title=Hastert Tries Damage Control After Remarks Hit a Nerve|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 3, 2005|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820033439/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/02/AR2005090202156.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The remarks enraged [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Kathleen Blanco]] of [[Louisiana]], who stated that Hastert's comments were "absolutely unthinkable for a leader in his position" and demanded an immediate apology.<ref name="Babington" /> Former President [[Bill Clinton]], responding to the remarks, stated that had they been in the same place when the remarks were made, "I'm afraid I would have assaulted him."<ref name="Babington" /> After the remarks caused a furor, Hastert issued a statement saying he was not "advocating that the city be abandoned or relocated" and later issued another statement saying that "Our prayers and sympathies continue to be with the victims of Hurricane Katrina."<ref name="Babington" /> Hastert was also criticized for being absent from the Capitol during the approval of a $10.5 billion Katrina relief plan; Hastert was in Indiana attending a colleague's fundraiser and an [[antique car]] auction. Hastert later said that he donated the proceeds from one of the antique cars he sold at the auction to hurricane relief efforts.<ref name="Babington" />

====Ethics====
When the [[United States House Committee on Ethics]] recommended a series of reprimands against Majority Leader [[Tom DeLay]], Hastert fired committee Chairman [[Joel Hefley]], (R-CO), as well as committee members [[Kenny Hulshof]], (R-MO) and [[Steve LaTourette]], (R-OH).<ref name="OrnsteinHastert" /> After DeLay's associates were indicted, Hastert enacted a new rule allowing DeLay to keep the majority leadership even if DeLay himself was indicted.<ref name="OrnsteinHastert" />

A September 2005 article in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' revealed that during her work, former FBI translator [[Sibel Edmonds]] had heard Turkish wiretap targets boast of covert relations with Hastert. The article states, "the targets reportedly discussed giving Hastert tens of thousands of dollars in surreptitious payments in exchange for political favors and information."<ref name="vanity">{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Rose|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2005/09/edmonds200509|title=An Inconvenient Patriot|magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=September 2005|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106015914/http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2005/09/edmonds200509|url-status=live}}</ref> A spokesman for Hastert later denied the claims, relating them to the [[Jennifer Aniston]]–[[Brad Pitt]] breakup.<ref>33:02 to 33:25. Kill the Messenger. SBS Australia, 2007. Documentary.</ref> Following his congressional career, Hastert received a $35,000 per month contract lobbying on behalf of Turkey.<ref name=TheHillTurkey>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/3445-hastert-contracted-to-lobby-for-turkey/|title=Hastert contracted to lobby for Turkey|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=April 10, 2009|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-date=April 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428035339/http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/4015-hastert-contracted-to-lobby-for-turkey|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2006, the House Ethics Committee determined that Hastert and other congressional leaders were "willfully ignorant" in responding to early warnings of the [[Mark Foley scandal|Mark Foley congressional page scandal]], but did not violate any House rules.<ref name="Willfully">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-20150528-story.html|title=Willfully ignorant|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=December 12, 2006|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415164628/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-20150528-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Panel">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-08-foley_x.htm|title=Panel blasts Hastert in Foley scandal|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=December 8, 2006|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529024238/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-08-foley_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In a committee statement, [[Kirk Fordham]], who was Foley's chief of staff until 2005, said that he had alerted [[Scott B. Palmer]], Hastert's chief of staff, to Foley's inappropriate advances toward congressional pages in 2002 or 2003, asking congressional leadership to intervene.<ref name="Panel" /> Then-House Majority Leader [[John Boehner]] and [[National Republican Congressional Committee]] chair [[Thomas M. Reynolds]] stated that they told Hastert about Foley's conduct in spring 2005.<ref name="Panel" /> A Hastert spokesman stated that "what Kirk Fordham said did not happen."<ref name="Panel" /> Hastert also stated that he could not recall conversations with Boehner and Reynolds, and that he did not learn of Foley's conduct until late September 2006, when the affair became public.<ref name="Panel" />

In 2006, Hastert became embroiled in controversy over his championing of a $207 million [[Earmark (politics)|earmark]] (inserted in the [[Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users|2005 omnibus highway bill]]) for the [[Prairie Parkway]], a proposed expressway running through his district.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /><ref name="McNamara">{{cite web|first=Melissa|last=McNamara|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/speaker-hasterts-land-deal-questioned/|title=Speaker Hastert's Land Deal Questioned|website=[[CBS]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 22, 2006|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810134917/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/speaker-hasterts-land-deal-questioned/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Merrion">{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Merrion|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20060614/NEWS02/200020993/group-claims-hastert-benefited-from-highway-bill|title=Group claims Hastert benefited from highway bill|magazine=[[Crain's Chicago Business]]|date=June 14, 2006|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007224635/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20060614/NEWS02/200020993/group-claims-hastert-benefited-from-highway-bill|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Sunlight Foundation]] accused Hastert of failing to disclose that the construction of the highway would benefit a land investment that Hastert and his wife made in nearby land in 2004 and 2005. Hastert took an unusually active role advancing the bill, even though it was opposed by a majority of area residents and by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]].<ref name=newrepublic06>{{cite magazine|first1=Norman|last1=Ornstein|author-link1=Norman Ornstein|first2=Scott|last2=Lilly|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/open-government/news/2006/10/13/2227/worse-than-foleygate/|title=Worse than FoleyGate|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|date=October 13, 2006|via=[[Center for American Progress]]|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414081532/https://www.americanprogress.org/article/worse-than-foleygate/|url-status=live}}</ref> When he became frustrated by negotiations with White House staff, Hastert began working on the bill directly with President Bush.<ref name=newrepublic06 /> After passage, Bush traveled to Hastert's district for the law's [[signing ceremony]].<ref name=newrepublic06 />

Four months later Hastert sold the land for a 500% profit.<ref name=newrepublic06 /> Hastert's net worth went from $300,000 to at least $6.2 million.<ref name=newrepublic06 /> Hastert received five-eighths of the proceeds of the sale of the land, turning a $1.8 million profit in under two years.<ref name="McNamara" /><ref name="Merrion" /><ref name="Kimberly&Zajac">{{cite news|first1=James|last1=Kimberly|first2=Andrew|last2=Zajac|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-archives-how-hastert-benefited-from-real-estate-sale-20150528-story.html|title=From the archives: How Hastert benefited from real estate sale|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 18, 2006|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807184224/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-archives-how-hastert-benefited-from-real-estate-sale-20150528-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert's [[ownership interest]] in the tract was not a [[public record]] because the land was held by a [[Blind trust|blind]] [[land trust]], Little Rock Trust No. 225.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /> There were three partners in the trust: Hastert, Thomas Klatt, and Dallas Ingemunson. However, public documents only named Ingemunson, who was the Kendall County Republican Party chairman and Hastert's personal attorney and longtime friend.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /><ref name="Kimberly&Zajac" /> Hastert denied any wrongdoing.<ref name="McNamara" /> In October 2006, [[Norman Ornstein]] and Scott Lilly wrote that the Prairie Parkway affair was "worse than FoleyGate" and called for Hastert's resignation.<ref name=newrepublic06 />

In 2012, after Hastert had departed from Congress, the highway project was killed after federal regulators retracted the 2008 approval of an [[environmental impact statement]] for the project and agreed to an [[Illinois Department of Transportation]] request to redirect the funds for other projects.<ref name="Crain's">{{cite magazine|first=Greg|last=Hinz|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120823/BLOGS02/120829892/hasterts-prairie-parkway-suffers-two-likely-fatal-blows|title=Hastert's Prairie Parkway suffers two likely fatal blows|magazine=[[Crain's Chicago Business]]|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414081535/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120823/BLOGS02/120829892/hastert-s-prairie-parkway-suffers-two-likely-fatal-blows|url-status=live}}</ref> Environmentalists, who opposed the project, celebrated its cancellation.<ref name="Crain's" />

In 2006, Hastert (along with then-Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]]) criticized an [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] search of Representative [[William J. Jefferson]]'s [[Capitol Hill]] office in connection with a corruption investigation. Hastert issued a lengthy statement saying that the raid violated the [[Separation of powers in the United States|separation of powers]], and later complained directly to President Bush about the matter.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bruce|last=Alpert|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-court-met-20150714-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert, who faces federal indictment, criticized 2006 raid of William Jefferson's office|newspaper=[[New Orleans Times-Picayune]]|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420091643/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-court-met-20150714-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Dan|last1=Eggen|first2=Allan|last2=Lengel|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052301739.html|title=Officials Defend Raid on Lawmaker's Office|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 24, 2006|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=February 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211702/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052301739.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Departure from Congress===
{{Main|2008 Illinois's 14th congressional district special election}}

Before the [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections|2006 elections]], Hastert expressed his intent to seek reelection as Speaker if the Republicans maintained control of the House. Hastert was reelected for an eleventh term to his seat in the House with nearly 60 percent of the vote, but that year the Republicans lost control of both the Senate and the House to the Democrats following a wave of voter discontent with the [[Iraq War]], the Federal response to [[Hurricane Katrina]], and a series of scandals among congressional Republicans.<ref>{{cite web|first=Carl|last=Hulse|author-link=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/us/politics/08house.html|title=On Wave of Voter Unrest, Democrats Take Control of House|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 8, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722015150/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/us/politics/08house.html |archive-date=July 22, 2017 }}</ref> The day after the November election, Hastert announced he would not seek to become minority leader when the [[110th United States Congress|110th Congress]] convened in January 2007.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15623951 Hastert says he won't run for minority leader], NBC News (November 9, 2006).</ref> Later that month, [[John Boehner]] of [[Ohio]] defeated [[Mike Pence]] of Indiana in a 168–27 vote of the [[House Republican Conference]] election to become minority leader for the 110th Congress.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Taylor|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111700485.html|title=GOP Chooses Boehner as Minority Leader|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209212627/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111700485.html |archive-date=December 9, 2018 }}</ref> The [[Democratic Caucus of the United States House of Representatives|House Democratic Caucus]] unanimously selected House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] to be Speaker (succeeding Hastert) for the 110th Congress.<ref name="Taylor" />

In October 2007, following months of rumors that Hastert would not serve out his term, the Capitol Hill newspaper ''[[Roll Call]]'' reported that Hastert had decided to resign from the House before the end of the year, triggering a [[List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives|special election]].<ref>{{cite web|first1=Lauren W.|last1=Whittington|first2=Matthew|last2=Murray|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/-20539-1.html|website=[[Roll Call]]|date=October 17, 2007|title=Hastert Likely to Announce Resignation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529031050/http://www.rollcall.com/news/-20539-1.html|archive-date=May 29, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On November 15, 2007, Hastert delivered a [[farewell speech]] on the House floor, emphasizing the need for civility in politics; Hastert's speech was followed by remarks from Pelosi praising Hastert's service.<ref>[http://www.c-span.org/video/?195829-1/speaker-hastert-farewell Speaker Hastert Farewell: Outgoing House Speaker Dennis Hastert gave a farewell speech, followed by a speech praising his work by incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529044542/http://www.c-span.org/video/?195829-1/speaker-hastert-farewell |date=May 29, 2015 }}, [[C-SPAN]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Christi|last1=Parsons|first2=Rick|last2=Pearson|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/11/16/hastert-farewell-urges-civility/|title=Hastert farewell urges civility: Departing Illinois Republican laments 'bitterness' in capital|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 16, 2007}}</ref> On November 26, 2007, Hastert submitted his resignation.<ref>Associated Press, [http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/11841126.html Hastert Submits Official Resignation Letter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529090319/http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/11841126.html |date=May 29, 2015 }} (November 26, 2007).</ref>

Financial disclosure documents indicate that Hastert made a fortune from land deals during his time in Congress.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy">{{cite news|first1=Matea|last1=Gold|first2=Anu|last2=Narayanswamy|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-dennis-hastert-made-a-fortune-in-land-deals/2015/05/29/680f357a-0628-11e5-bc72-f3e16bf50bb6_story.html|title=How Dennis Hastert made a fortune in land deals|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226091938/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-dennis-hastert-made-a-fortune-in-land-deals/2015/05/29/680f357a-0628-11e5-bc72-f3e16bf50bb6_story.html |archive-date=February 26, 2018 }}</ref> Hastert entered Congress in 1987 with a [[net worth]] of no more than $270,000.<ref name="DeBonis" /> At the time, his most valuable asset was a 104-acre farm in southern Illinois (which his wife had inherited), worth between $50,000 and $100,000.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /> When Hastert left Congress twenty years later, he reported a significantly increased net worth, variously reported as between $4 million and $17 million<ref name="DeBonis" /> and between $3.1 million and $11.3 million.<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /> Much of this increase in net worth was the result of various real-estate investments during Hastert's time in Congress (including the controversial land deal several miles from the proposed [[Prairie Parkway]] site).<ref name="Gold&Narayanswamy" /> At the time Hastert left Congress, much of his net worth remained tied up in real-estate holdings.<ref name="DeBonis" />

[[Illinois State Senate|State Senator]] [[Chris Lauzen]], [[Geneva, Illinois|Geneva]] [[Mayor]] Kevin Burns, and wealthy dairy businessman [[Jim Oberweis]] all entered the campaign for the Republican nomination to succeed Hastert.<ref name="Kimberly">James Kimberly, [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/12/14/hastert-backs-oberweis-in-his-bid-for-house-seat/ Hastert backs Oberweis, Burns drops out], ''Chicago Tribune'' (December 14, 2007).</ref> In December 2007, Hastert endorsed Oberweis in the primary, and Burns withdrew from the race.<ref name="Kimberly" /> In the contentious February 2008 primary election, Oberweis was chosen as the Republican nominee, and [[Fermilab]] scientist [[Bill Foster (Illinois politician)|Bill Foster]] was selected as the Democratic nominee. In the special election in March 2008 to fill the rest of Hastert's unexpired term, Foster won a surprise victory over Oberweis.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-pick-up-hasterts-seat/ Democrats Pick Up Hastert's Seat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812032911/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-pick-up-hasterts-seat/ |date=August 12, 2020 }}, CBS News/''Politico'' (March 8, 2008).</ref> In a rematch in the November 2008 elections for a full two-year term, Foster again defeated Oberweis.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alexander|last=Burns|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2008/12/top-10-political-upsets-of-2008-016879|title=Top 10 political upsets of 2008|website=[[Politico]]|date=December 29, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711044659/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16879.html |archive-date=July 11, 2015 }}</ref>

==Post-congressional career==

===Lobbyist and consultant===
In May 2008, six months after resigning from Congress, the Washington, D.C.-based [[law firm]] and [[lobbying firm]] [[Dickstein Shapiro]] announced that Hastert was joining the firm as a senior adviser.<ref name="Skiba">{{cite web|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/02/17/former-house-speaker-dennis-hasterts-private-ventures/|title=Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's private ventures|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=February 17, 2010}}</ref> Hastert waited until the legally required "cooling-off period" had passed in order to register as a lobbyist.<ref name="Skiba"/> Over the next several years, Hastert earned millions of dollars lobbying his former congressional colleagues on a range of issues, mostly involving [[congressional appropriation]]s.<ref name="WeismanMillions">{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Weisman|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/us/after-speakership-hastert-amassed-his-millions-lobbying-former-colleagues.html?_r=0|title=After Speakership, Hastert Amassed His Millions Lobbying Former Colleagues|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602074857/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/us/after-speakership-hastert-amassed-his-millions-lobbying-former-colleagues.html?_r=0 |archive-date=June 2, 2015 }}</ref>

According to [[Foreign Agents Registration Act]] filings, Hastert represented foreign governments, including the [[government of Luxembourg]] and [[government of Turkey]].<ref name="Skiba"/> During parts of 2009, Hastert also lobbied on behalf of [[Oak Brook, Illinois]]-based real estate developer [[CenterPoint Properties]], lobbying for the placement of a major [[United States Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] transportation facility.<ref name="Skiba"/><ref name="WeismanMillions"/> Hastert also represented [[Lorillard Tobacco Co.]], which paid Dickstein Shapiro almost $8 million from 2011 to 2014 to lobby on behalf of candy-flavored tobacco and [[electronic cigarette]]s; Hastert "was the most prominent member of the lobbying team" on these efforts.<ref name="WeismanMillions"/> In 2013 and 2014, Hastert lobbied on [[climate change]] issues on behalf of [[Peabody Energy]], the world's largest private-sector [[Coal industry|coal company]]; in 2015, Hastert "switched sides" and lobbied for [[Fuels America]], the [[ethanol]] industry group.<ref name="WeismanMillions"/> In the second half of 2011, Hastert monitored legislation on [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] on behalf of [[LightSquared]], which paid Dickstein Shapiro $200,000 for lobbying services.<ref name="WeismanMillions"/>

Hastert also lobbied on behalf of [[FirstLine Transportation Security, Inc.]] (which sought congressional review of [[Transportation Security Administration]] procurement);<ref name="WeismanMillions"/> Naperville, Illinois-based lighting technology company PolyBrite International;<ref name="Skiba"/> the [[American College of Rheumatology]] (on annual labor and health spending bill);<ref name="WeismanMillions"/> the [[San Diego, California]]-based [[for-profit education]] company [[Bridgepoint Education]];<ref name="Skiba"/> [[REX American Resources Corp.]];<ref name="Final">{{cite web|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/03/22/final-tab-on-hasterts-post-congress-office-19-million/|title=Final tab on Hastert's post-Congress office: $1.9 million|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 22, 2013}}</ref> [[The ServiceMaster Co.]];<ref name="Final"/> and the Secure ID Coalition.<ref name="DeBonis"/>

In 2014, Hastert's firm Dickstein Shapiro and the lobbying firm of former House majority leader-turned lobbyist [[Dick Gephardt]] split a $1.4 million annual lobbying contract with the government of Turkey.<ref name="Goldmacher">{{cite web|first=Shane|last=Goldmacher|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/dennis-hastert-defends-turkey-trip-as-exclusively-within-the-rules-20140116|title=Dennis Hastert Defends Turkey Trip as 'Exclusively Within the Rules'|website=[[National Journal]]|date=January 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529034748/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/dennis-hastert-defends-turkey-trip-as-exclusively-within-the-rules-20140116 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> In April 2013, Hastert and Gephardt traveled with eight members of Congress to Turkey, with all expenses paid by the Turkish government.<ref name="Goldmacher"/><ref name="Goldmacher2">{{cite web|first=Shane|last=Goldmacher|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/how-lobbyists-still-fly-through-loopholes-20140110|title=How Lobbyists Still Fly Through Loopholes: Even after the Abramoff reforms, companies and countries looking to sway Congress find ways to ply lawmakers with fancy overseas trips|website=[[National Journal]]|date=January 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529040121/http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/how-lobbyists-still-fly-through-loopholes-20140110 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> While members of Congress are generally prohibited from corporate-funded travel abroad with lobbyists (a rule enacted after the [[Jack Abramoff]] [[Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal|scandal]]), the law permits lobbyists to plan and attend trips overseas if paid for by foreign countries.<ref name="Goldmacher"/> Hastert defended the trip, saying that he had "meticulously" followed the rules and that the involvement of himself and Gephardt "allowed those members of Congress who were there to have a fuller experience."<ref name="Goldmacher"/> A ''[[National Journal]]'' investigation highlighted the trip as an example of loopholes creating a situation in which "lobbyists who can't legally buy a lawmaker a sandwich can still escort members on trips all around the world."<ref name="Goldmacher2"/>

In March 2015, Hastert along with his associate (accompanied by several lobbyist associates, including former Representative [[William D. Delahunt]] of Massachusetts) took advantage of his privilege as a former lawmaker to be present in the Senate Reception Room near the Senate chamber, "lingering" and "bantering with senators and other passersby" during a vote on whether to retain the fuel standard mandating the blending of ethanol and other alternative fuels with gasoline, as advocated by Hastert's client Fuels America (the ethanol industry trade group).<ref name="Ota">{{cite web|first=Alan K.|last=Ota|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/hastert_delivers_personal_pitch_for_ethanol-240942-1.html|title=Hastert Delivers Personal Pitch for Ethanol|website=[[Roll Call]]|date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709132338/http://www.rollcall.com/news/hastert_delivers_personal_pitch_for_ethanol-240942-1.html |archive-date=July 9, 2015 }}</ref> Hastert and Delahunt were criticized by watchdog groups who "questioned whether Hastert was violating" these rules,<ref name="Reeling"/> but "allies of Hastert and Delahunt said they made a point of not lobbying lawmakers in the Senate Reception Room, but that they and members of their team used the lobby area as a temporary base, where they could greet lawmakers while they were holding meetings in private rooms."<ref name="Ota"/>

The day the 2015 indictment was unsealed, Hastert resigned his lobbyist position at Dickstein Shapiro, and his biography was removed from the firm's website.<ref name=hill01>{{cite web|first=Megan R.|last=Wilson|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/243410-hastert-resigns-lobbying-position-after-indictment/|title=Hastert resigns lobbying position after indictment|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Daveymay">{{cite web|first=Monica|last=Daveymay|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/us/ex-house-speaker-j-dennis-hastert-indicted-on-federal-charges.html|title=U.S. Accuses Ex-House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert of Paying to Hide 'Misconduct'|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016032601/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/us/ex-house-speaker-j-dennis-hastert-indicted-on-federal-charges.html |archive-date=October 16, 2016 }}</ref><ref name=politico01>{{cite web|first1=Karey|last1=van Hall|first2=Nirvi|last2=Shah|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/even-as-feds-closed-in-dennis-hastert-took-on-new-lobbying-clients-118399.html|title=Even as feds closed in, Dennis Hastert took on new lobbying clients|website=[[Politico]]|date=May 28, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529163333/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/even-as-feds-closed-in-dennis-hastert-took-on-new-lobbying-clients-118399.html|archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref>

In addition to his lobbyist job, Hastert established his own consultancy, Hastert & Associates.<ref name="Final"/> In 2008, Hastert also joined the board of directors of Chicago-based [[futures exchange]] company [[CME Group]] (which had been formed from the merger of the [[Chicago Mercantile Exchange]] and [[Chicago Board of Trade]]), where he earned more than {{USD}}205,000 in total compensation in 2014.<ref name=POLITICO.income>{{cite web|last1=Tarini|first1=Parti|title=How Dennis Hastert made his millions|date=May 29, 2015 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-how-he-made-income-118414.html?hp=t3_r|website=[[Politico]]|access-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601000404/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-how-he-made-income-118414.html?hp=t3_r|archive-date=June 1, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Grossman&Kesling">{{cite web|first1=Andrew|last1=Grossman|first2=Ben|last2=Kesling|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bail-set-for-indicted-former-house-of-representatives-speaker-dennis-hastert-1432918986|title=Bail Set for Indicted Former House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530180035/http://www.wsj.com/articles/bail-set-for-indicted-former-house-of-representatives-speaker-dennis-hastert-1432918986 |archive-date=May 30, 2016 }}</ref> On May 29, 2015, following his indictment, Hastert resigned from the board, effective immediately.<ref name="Grossman&Kesling"/>

===Publicly funded post-speakership office===
A controversy arose in 2009 regarding Hastert's receipt of federal funds while a lobbyist.<ref name="Flavelle">{{cite web|first=Christopher|last=Flavelle|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/perks-for-former-speaker-despite-lobbying-job-1221|title=Perks for Former Speaker, Despite Lobbying Job|website=[[ProPublica]]|date=December 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831225335/https://www.propublica.org/article/perks-for-former-speaker-despite-lobbying-job-1221 |archive-date=August 31, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Sherman">{{cite web|first1=Jake|last1=Sherman|first2=John|last2=Bresnahan|url=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=AEEF4E95-18FE-70B2-A8EC2F4B6033912D|title=Former speaker gets pricey perks|website=[[Politico]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529041123/http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=AEEF4E95-18FE-70B2-A8EC2F4B6033912D |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> Under a 1975 federal law, Hastert, as a former House Speaker, was entitled to a public allowance (about $40,000 a month) for a five-year period to allow him to maintain an office.<ref name="Flavelle"/> Hastert accepted the funds, which went toward office space in far-west suburban 
[[Yorkville, Illinois]]; salaries for three staffers (secretary Lisa Post and administrative assistants Bryan Harbin and Tom Jarman, each paid an annual salary of more than $100,000 over 2½ years); lease payments on a 2008 [[GMC Yukon]] [[sport utility vehicle]]; a [[satellite TV]] subscription; office equipment; and legal fees.<ref name="Final"/><ref name="Flavelle"/><ref name="Sherman"/> Jarman later left the office, and Harbin's salary was cut substantially.<ref name="Final"/> Hastert's government-funded office closed in late 2012, at the end of the maximum five years for which public funds were provided.<ref name="Final"/> The total amount of public funds spent on Hastert's post-speakership office was nearly $1.9 million (not including federal benefits such as health care to which the employees were entitled), of which the majority (about $1.45 million) went toward staff salaries.<ref name="Final"/>

The federally funded benefits were legally required to be completely separate from Hastert's simultaneous lobbying activities for Dickstein Shapiro.<ref name="Flavelle"/><ref name="Sherman"/> The arrangement was criticized as "really concerning" by Steve Ellis, vice president of [[Taxpayers for Common Sense]], because the exact nature of the two roles was not transparent. A Hastert spokesman stated that the two offices were completely separate.<ref name="Flavelle"/><ref name="Sherman"/> In 2012, however, a ''Chicago Tribune'' investigation found that "a secretary in the ex-speaker's government office used email to coordinate some of his private business meetings and travel, and conducted research on one proposed venture" and that "a suburban Chicago businessman who was involved in the business ventures with Hastert said he met with Hastert at least three times in the government office to discuss the projects."<ref name="Skiba&Lighty">{{cite web|first1=Katherine|last1=Skiba|first2=Todd|last2=Lighty|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/14/hastert-used-government-office-for-private-business/|title=Hastert used government office for private business|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 14, 2012}}</ref> Hastert denied that he had engaged in any improper conduct.<ref name="Skiba&Lighty"/>

====Civil lawsuit alleging personal use of publicly funded office====
In 2013, Hastert's former business partner J. David John filed a lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois|federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois]], alleging that Hastert misappropriated federal funds for his post-speakership office in Yorkville for personal use, including private lobbying and business projects.<ref name="DoubleTrouble">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/hastert-faces-double-trouble-as-lawsuit-proceeds-120556.html|title=Hastert faces double trouble as lawsuit proceeds|website=[[Politico]]|date=July 23, 2015|access-date=July 28, 2015|archive-date=July 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726000121/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/hastert-faces-double-trouble-as-lawsuit-proceeds-120556.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CastLight">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-charges-cast-light-on-2013-lawsuit-118440.html|title=Dennis Hastert charges cast light on 2013 lawsuit: Was this what tipped off the feds?|website=[[Politico]]|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=July 28, 2015|archive-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803074459/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-charges-cast-light-on-2013-lawsuit-118440.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This suit was filed under the ''[[qui tam]]'' provision of the [[False Claims Act]] (FCA), an anti-fraud statute that allows a private party to pursue a case on behalf of the federal government.<ref name="DoubleTrouble"/><ref name="CastLight"/><ref name="BilykSuit">{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Bilyk|url=http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510578947-judge-tosses-lawsuit-accusing-former-u-s-house-speaker-of-improperly-using-taxpayer-funded-office|title=Judge tosses lawsuit accusing former U.S. House Speaker of improperly using taxpayer-funded office|website=[[Cook County Record]]|date=September 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730090407/http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510578947-judge-tosses-lawsuit-accusing-former-u-s-house-speaker-of-improperly-using-taxpayer-funded-office |archive-date=July 30, 2016 }}</ref> In the suit, John asserts that he told the FBI in 2011 that "he had knowledge that Hastert was using federally funded offices, staff, office supplies and vehicles for personal business ventures."<ref name="DoubleTrouble"/> John, a businessman from the Chicago suburb of [[Burr Ridge, Illinois]],<ref name="Skiba&Lighty"/><ref name="BilykSuit"/> also said that he traveled with Hastert and collaborated with him on "a planned [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix racetrack]] in Southern California and sports events to be organized in the Middle East" as well as other projects.<ref name="DoubleTrouble"/> Hastert denies any wrongdoing.<ref name="CastLight"/> The allegations about the use of the former speakers' office first drew the attention of federal investigators in 2013, leading to the federal indictment in 2015.<ref name="SeidelHowWeMadeCase">{{cite news|first=Jon|last=Seidel|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/4/7/18343225/feds-how-we-made-case-against-ex-house-speaker-dennis-hastert|title=Feds: How we made case against ex-House Speaker Dennis Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2023|archive-date=May 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516070800/http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/feds-how-we-made-case-against-ex-house-speaker-dennis-hastert/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2017, Kocoras dismissed the suit, finding that John did not qualify as a "whistleblower" under the FCA.<ref name="AppPossible">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/04/07/us-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-3/|title=Attorney: Appeal possible after judge tosses Hastert suit|website=[[Daily Journal (Illinois)|Daily Journal]]|date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420150051/http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/04/07/us-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-3/ |archive-date=April 20, 2017|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> John's attorney said that an appeal was possible.<ref name="AppPossible"/> The dismissal "did not turn on whether Hastert actually misused the speaker's office, but rather whether John met a prerequisite for [a False Claims Act] suit: that he brought the allegations to the government's attention before anyone else and before they were made public."<ref name="GersteinAccuser">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2017/10/19/dennis-hastert-fraud-accuser-sanctions-243975|title=Judge hits Hastert fraud accuser with sanctions|website=[[Politico]]|date=October 19, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024518/https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2017/10/19/dennis-hastert-fraud-accuser-sanctions-243975|url-status=live}}</ref> Kocoras held that John had falsely claimed that he had told the FBI about possible misuse of federal resources by Hastert.<ref name="GersteinAccuser"/>

===Other activities===
After retiring from Congress, Hastert made occasional public appearances on political programs.<ref name="Seidel"/> He also made some endorsements of political candidates; in the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012|2012 Republican presidential primaries]], he endorsed [[Mitt Romney]] instead of his predecessor as Speaker, [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Kerry|last=Lester|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120213/news/702139950/|title=Why Hastert backs Romney over Gingrich|website=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=February 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529072512/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120213/news/702139950/ |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref>

==Sex abuse scandal and federal prosecution==

===Investigation into hush-money scheme===
According to a 2017 interview with the two special agents leading the investigations—one each from the FBI and the [[IRS Criminal Investigation Division]]—"Hastert had been on the FBI's radar as early as November 2012—even before the FBI and IRS began investigating the suspicious cash withdrawals that were Hastert's downfall."<ref name="SeidelHowWeMadeCase"/> The inquiry was first prompted by allegations that Hastert had used his taxpayer-funded Office of the Former Speaker to further his private business ventures, something that Hastert was never charged with.<ref name="SeidelHowWeMadeCase"/> In 2013, the FBI and IRS began investigating Hastert's cash withdrawals, and in early 2015 they had learned about the "hush money" agreement between "Individual A" and Hastert.<ref name="SeidelHowWeMadeCase"/> In a December 8, 2014, interview, Hastert lied to the federal agents about the purpose of the withdrawals, leading to his federal prosecution.<ref name="SeidelHowWeMadeCase"/>

===Indictment===
On May 28, 2015, a seven-page indictment of Hastert by a [[Grand juries in the United States|federal grand jury]] was unsealed in the [[U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois]] in Chicago.<ref name="Indictment">{{cite web |author=United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Federal Grand Jury Indictment |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2089608/indictment-of-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert.pdf |date=February 2014 |title=Federal Grand Jury Indictment |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529035042/https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2089608/indictment-of-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Yahoo">{{cite news | url=https://news.yahoo.com/ex-us-speaker-hastert-indicted-bank-related-charges-214129927--politics.html | work=[[Yahoo! News]] | title=Ex-US Speaker Hastert indicted on bank-related charges | date=May 28, 2015 | access-date=May 28, 2015 | first1=Michael | last1=Term | archive-date=May 28, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528221456/http://news.yahoo.com/ex-us-speaker-hastert-indicted-bank-related-charges-214129927--politics.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="LoBianco">Tom LoBianco, [http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/politics/dennis-hastert-indictment/index.html Former speaker indicted for cover up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529010849/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/politics/dennis-hastert-indictment/index.html |date=May 29, 2015 }}, CNN (May 28, 2015). Retrieved May 28, 2015.</ref><ref name="Bosman">Julie Bosman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/16/us/dennis-hastert-reaches-plea-deal-in-bank-withdrawals-case.html Dennis Hastert Reaches Plea Deal in Bank Withdrawals Case] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410210106/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/16/us/dennis-hastert-reaches-plea-deal-in-bank-withdrawals-case.html |date=April 10, 2016 }}, ''The New York Times'' (October 15, 2015).</ref>

The indictment charged Hastert with unlawfully [[structuring]] the withdrawal of $952,000 in cash in order to evade the [[Currency transaction report|requirement that banks report cash transactions over {{USD}}10,000]] ([[Title 31, United States Code]], Section 5324(a)(3)), and [[making false statements]] to the FBI about the purpose of his withdrawals ([[Title 18, United States Code]], Section 1001(a)(2)). The indictment alleges that Hastert agreed to make payments of $3.5 million to an unnamed subject (identified in the indictment only as an "Individual A" from Yorkville, Illinois, who was known to Hastert for "most of Individual A's life"). The indictment stated that the payments were to "compensate for and conceal [Hastert's] prior misconduct."<ref name="Seidel">{{cite news|first1=Lynn|last1=Sweet|author-link=Lynn Sweet|first2=Jon|last2=Seidel|first3=Natasha|last3=Korecki|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news-chicago/7/71/644023/feds-charge-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-lying-fbi-illegal-cash-structuring|title=Feds charge former House Speaker Dennis Hastert paid hush money, tried to cover it up|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=May 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531002601/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news-chicago/7/71/644023/feds-charge-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-lying-fbi-illegal-cash-structuring|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Meisner Plea">{{cite news|first1=Jason|last1=Meisner|first2=Steve|last2=Schmadeke|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-arraignment-20150609-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert pleads not guilty to lying to FBI about hush money|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155158/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-arraignment-20150609-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DaveyPlea">{{cite news|first=Monica|last=Davey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/us/politics/dennis-hastert-chicago-court-appearance-for-arraignment.html|title=Dennis Hastert Pleads Not Guilty in Chicago Court|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155254/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/us/politics/dennis-hastert-chicago-court-appearance-for-arraignment.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Yahoo"/><ref name="LoBianco"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Ex-Speaker Hastert charged with lying to FBI about hush money withdrawals|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-20150528-story.html|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529003205/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-20150528-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Federal authorities began investigating his withdrawals in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/05/28/3654523/latest-on-dennis-hastert-former.html|title=Latest on Dennis Hastert: He spent 16 years teaching|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2015}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In late 2014, after being questioned about the withdrawals, Hastert said that he did not trust banks; shortly afterward, Hastert changed his story, saying that he "was the victim of extortion by Individual A for false molestation accusations."<ref name="NYTSentence"/>

The indictment itself did not specify the exact nature of the "past misconduct" referred to.<ref name="DeBonis"/> The [[United States Attorney|U.S. Attorney's Office]] limited details in the indictment of Hastert, in part because of a request from Hastert's attorneys.<ref>{{cite web|first1=John|last1=Stanton|first2=Andrew|last2=Kaczynsk|first3=Evan|last3=McMorris-Santoro|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/former-us-speaker-of-the-house-dennis-hastert-indicted|title= Sources: U.S. Attorney agreed to withhold details of Hastert's alleged "misconduct" in indictment|website=[[BuzzFeed]]|date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019054528/https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/former-us-speaker-of-the-house-dennis-hastert-indicted |archive-date=October 19, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Kamisar"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Cillizza|author-link=Chris Cillizza|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/05/29/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-denny-hastert-indictment/|title=What we know (and what we don't) about the Denny Hastert indictment|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602214142/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/05/29/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-denny-hastert-indictment/ |archive-date=June 2, 2015 }}</ref>

On May 29, Hastert was released on his own [[recognizance]] on a preliminary bail of $4,500 set by a [[United States magistrate judge|magistrate judge]].<ref name="Grossman&Kesling"/><ref name="Kamisar">{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Kamisar|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/243442-hastert-posts-4500-bail/|title=Hastert posts $4,500 bail|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 29, 2015}}</ref>

In June ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Hastert had approached a business associate, J. David John, in 2010, to look for a [[financial adviser]] to come up with an [[Annuity (U.S. financial product)|annuity plan]] that would "generate a substantial cash payout each year."<ref name=coldhardcash>{{cite news|last=Lipton|first=Eric|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/us/politics/dennis-hastert-rushed-to-make-money-as-payouts-grew.html|title=Dennis Hastert Rushed to Make Money as Payouts Grew|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 6, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609025656/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/us/politics/dennis-hastert-rushed-to-make-money-as-payouts-grew.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This request was the same year that prosecutors say he agreed to start paying hush money to the person he allegedly committed misconduct against.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dennis-hastert-finances-20150608-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert's moneymaking efforts under scrutiny|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609084022/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dennis-hastert-finances-20150608-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> John told the ''Times'' that "I did not think much about it at the time, but looking back at it, it does seem strange. He just said he needed to generate some cash."<ref name=coldhardcash/>

===Sex abuse allegations emerge===
On May 29, 2015, after Hastert had been indicted for illicitly structuring financial transactions, two people briefed on the evidence from the case stated that "Individual A"—the man to whom Hastert was making payments—had been sexually abused by Hastert during Hastert's time as a teacher and coach at [[Yorkville High School]] and that Hastert had paid $1.7 million out of a total $3.5 million in promised payment.<ref name=timesshear>{{cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|title=Hastert Case Is Said to Be Linked to Decades-Old Sexual Abuse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html|access-date=May 29, 2015|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529214426/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that investigators had spoken with another former student who made similar allegations that corroborated what the first student said.<ref name="Serrano">{{cite news|first1=Richard A.|last1=Serrano|first2=Timothy M.|last2=Phelps|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hastert-misconduct-20150529-story.html|title=A second person accused Hastert of sexual abuse, official says|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112114424/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hastert-misconduct-20150529-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert admitted to committing sexual abuse during sentencing on the structuring charge.<ref name="NYTSentence">{{cite news|last1=Davey|first1=Monica|last2=Bosman|first2=Julie|last3=Smith|first3=Mitch|title=Dennis Hastert Is Sentenced to 15 Months, and Apologizes for Sex Abuse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/us/dennis-hastert-sentencing.html?_r=0|access-date=April 27, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 28, 2016|page=A1|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107051726/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/us/dennis-hastert-sentencing.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Trib042716">{{cite news|title=Dennis Hastert called 'serial child molester' by judge, gets 15 months in prison|last1=Meisner|first1=Jason|last2=Coen|first2=Jeff|last3=Gutowski|first3=Christy|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-20160427-story.html|access-date=April 27, 2016|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 27, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403064746/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-20160427-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 5, 2015, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]' ''[[Good Morning America]]'' aired an interview with Jolene Reinboldt Burdge, the sister of Steve Reinboldt, who was the student [[equipment manager]] of the wrestling team at Yorkville High School when Hastert was the wrestling coach.<ref name="ReinboldtABC">{{cite web|first1=Brian|last1=Ross|first2=Rhonda|last2=Schwartz|first3=John|last3=Capell|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-alleged-dennis-hastert-sex-abuse-victim-named/story?id=31530828|title=Exclusive: Alleged Dennis Hastert Sex Abuse Victim Is Named By Family|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|location=New York City|website=[[Good Morning America]]|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415093406/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-alleged-dennis-hastert-sex-abuse-victim-named/story?id=31530828|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WempleBurdge">{{cite news|first=Erik|last=Wemple|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/06/05/ap-jolene-burdge-in-2006-provided-no-information-useful-for-hastert-story/|title=Jolene Burdge in 2006 provided 'no information' useful for Hastert story|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324134442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/06/05/ap-jolene-burdge-in-2006-provided-no-information-useful-for-hastert-story/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Nora|last=Kelly|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/jolene-burdge-dennis-hastert-19691231|title=One Week After Dennis Hastert's Indictment, an Alleged Victim's Sister Has Come Forward|journal=[[National Journal]]|location=Washington D.C.|date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609215315/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/jolene-burdge-dennis-hastert-19691231 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 }}</ref> Hastert also ran an Explorers group of which Steve Reinboldt was a member and led the group on a diving trip to the [[Bahamas]].<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> In the interview, Burdge stated that in 1979, eight years after Reinboldt's high school graduation in 1971, her brother had told her that he had been sexually abused by Hastert throughout his four years of high school.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> Burdge said that she was "stunned" by this news and that her brother said that he had never told anyone before, because he did not think he would be believed.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> A message from Hastert appears in Steve Reinboldt's 1970 high school [[yearbook]].<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> In the interview, Burdge said that she believes the abuse stopped when her brother moved away after graduation. Jolene said that Hastert "damaged Steve I think more than any of us will ever know".<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/>

Reinboldt died of an [[AIDS]]-related illness in 1995.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> Hastert attended his [[Viewing (funeral)|viewing]], which angered Burdge. She said:

{{cquote|I was just there just trying to bite my tongue thinking that blood was coming out because I was just ... So after he had gone through the line I followed him out into the parking lot of the funeral home. I said, "I want to know why you did what you did to my brother." And he just stood there and stared at me. He didn't say, "What are you talking about?" you know, [or], "What? I don't know what you're talking about." He just stood there and stared at me.

Then I just continued to say, "I want you to know your secret didn't die in there with my brother. And I want you to remember that I'm out here and that I know." And again, he just stood there and he did not say a word.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/>}}

Hastert then got in his car and left. Burdge said Hastert's lack of a response "said everything".<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/>

Following Reinboldt's death, around the time that the [[Mark Foley scandal]] broke in 2006, Burdge unsuccessfully attempted to bring the allegations against Hastert to light. She contacted [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] and the [[Associated Press]] (AP) on an [[source (journalism)#Confidential information|off-the-record]] basis, and also contacted some advocacy groups.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/><ref name="WempleBurdge"/> ABC News and the AP could not corroborate Burdge's allegation at the time, and Hastert denied the accusation to ABC News at the time, so the claim was not published.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/><ref name="WempleBurdge"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Alexandra |last=Jaffe |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/05/politics/dennis-hastert-victim-named-steven-reinboldt/ |title=Sister names victim of alleged Dennis Hastert abuse |website=[[CNN]]  |location=Atlanta, Georgia |date=June 5, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |quote=ABC News said it didn't run with the reporting because it lacked corroborating evidence |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801193547/https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/05/politics/dennis-hastert-victim-named-steven-reinboldt/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

ABC News reported that "for years, Jolene watched helplessly as Hastert basked in fame and power, seated to the left of the president for years in the early 2000s, during the nationally televised [[State of the Union address]]".<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> Several days before the indictment was unsealed, Burdge was interviewed by FBI [[special agent|agents]] who asked her about her brother and informed her Hastert was about to be indicted on federal charges.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> Neither Reinboldt nor Burdge are "Individual A" named in the indictment, but Burdge believes that "Individual A" is familiar with what happened with her brother.<ref name="ReinboldtABC"/> The statements by Burdge "marked the first time that a person [had] been publicly identified as a possible victim of Mr. Hastert".<ref name=NYT.brother>{{cite news |first=Christine |last=Hauser |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/us/sister-says-her-brother-was-a-victim-of-ex-speaker-hastert.html |title=Woman Says Dennis Hastert Abused Her Brother in High School |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]  |date=June 5, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155304/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/us/sister-says-her-brother-was-a-victim-of-ex-speaker-hastert.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Reactions ====
The emergence of the sexual abuse allegations against Hastert brought renewed attention to the 2006 Mark Foley scandal, and the criticism of Hastert that he failed to take appropriate action in that case.<ref>{{cite news|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-hastert-mark-foley-scandal-met-20150604-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert's indictment resurrects Foley scandal|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190223/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-hastert-mark-foley-scandal-met-20150604-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Marshall|author-link=Josh Marshall|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/--100624|title=Hastert and the Foley Scandal|website=[[Talking Points Memo]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601004548/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/--100624 |archive-date=June 1, 2015 }}</ref>

In the wake of the sexual abuse allegations, journalists noted that Hastert was a supporter of measures which sought to enhance punishments for child sexual abuse, such as the [[Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act]] and the [[CARE Act|Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2000]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/nation-world/article71914777.html|title=Hastert's past comments contrast with misconduct allegations|agency=[[Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424095757/http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/nation-world/article71914777.html |archive-date=April 24, 2016|date=April 14, 2016}}</ref><ref name="GregoryUrgedLife">{{cite news|first=Ted|last=Gregory|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-lawmaker-record-met-20160413-story.html|title=Lawmaker Hastert urged life sentences for repeat child molesters|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190155/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-lawmaker-record-met-20160413-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, Hastert publicly called for legislation to "put repeat child molesters into jail for the rest of their lives".<ref name="GregoryUrgedLife"/>

Hastert resigned his lobbyist position at the law and lobbying firm [[Dickstein Shapiro]] the day the indictment was unsealed.<ref name=hill01/><ref name="Daveymay"/><ref name=politico01/> His biography was quickly removed from the firm's website and the firm purged all mentions of him from its previously posted press releases.<ref name="Reeling"/> According to a report in ''[[Politico]]'', Hastert's resignation left the firm "reeling".<ref name="Reeling">{{cite web|first1=Tarini|last1=Parti|first2=Anna|last2=Palmer|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/dennis-hastert-lobbying-firm-118603.html|title=Dennis Hastert's lobbying firm reeling after indictment|website=[[Politico]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614180706/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/dennis-hastert-lobbying-firm-118603.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the Hastert indictment, Dickstein Shapiro's biggest domestic client, Fuels America, terminated its lobbying contract with the firm.<ref name="Reeling"/>

On May 29, 2015, [[Yorkville Community Unit School District 115]] released a statement reading: {{cquote|The District was first made aware of any concerns regarding Mr. Hastert when the federal indictment was released on May 28, 2015. Yorkville Community Unit School District #115 has no knowledge of Mr. Hastert's alleged misconduct, nor has any individual contacted the District to report any such misconduct. If requested to do so, the District plans to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney's investigation into this matter.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Stefano|last1=Esposito|first2=Becky|last2=Schlikerman|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/645903/former-wrestler-coached-hastert-says-second-father|title=Yorkville community can't comprehend allegations against Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 29, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602021411/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/645903/former-wrestler-coached-hastert-says-second-father |archive-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>
}} James Harnett, who was [[superintendent (education)|superintendent]] of the school district for five of the years that Hastert taught there, told the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' that he was not aware of any complaints of misconduct brought against Hastert at the time.<ref name="KirkReact"/>

On May 29, 2015, Senator [[Mark Kirk]], Republican of Illinois, who served in the House throughout Hastert's tenure as speaker, released a statement reading: "Anyone who knows Denny is shocked and confused by the recent news. The former speaker should be afforded, like any other American, his day in court to address these very serious accusations. This is a very troubling development that we must learn more about, but I am thinking of his family during this difficult time."<ref name="KirkReact"/> On June 4, 2015, Kirk announced that he would donate to charity a $10,000 contribution made to Kirk's 2010 Senate campaign by Hastert's Keep Our Mission [[political action committee|PAC]].<ref name="PAC">{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Hensch|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/244072-vulnerable-gop-senator-donates-hastert-cash-to-charity/|title=Vulnerable GOP senator donates Hastert cash to charity|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=June 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608185631/http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/244072-vulnerable-gop-senator-donates-hastert-cash-to-charity|url-status=live}}</ref> Kirk's announcement was made following the [[Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee]] (DSCC)'s call upon the senator to "return or donate Denny Hastert's money immediately".<ref>{{cite news|first=Lynn|last=Sweet|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/662556/sen-kirk-sending-10000-hastert-donation-waukegan-charity|title=Sen. Kirk sending $10,000 Hastert donation to Waukegan charity|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605194757/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/662556/sen-kirk-sending-10000-hastert-donation-waukegan-charity |archive-date=June 5, 2015 }}</ref> The DSCC also called upon Republican Senators [[John Boozman]] of [[Arkansas]] and [[Roy Blunt]] of [[Missouri]] (who received $11,000 and $5,000, respectively, from Hastert's PAC in recent years) to return or donate the funds.<ref name="PAC"/>

On May 29, 2015, [[White House Press Secretary]] [[Josh Earnest]] stated in response to a reporter's question that "there is nobody here" at the White House "who derives any pleasure from reading about the former Speaker's legal troubles at this point".<ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/29/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-52915 Press Briefing by the Press Secretary Josh Earnest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305020427/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/29/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-52915 |date=March 5, 2021 }}, White House Office of the Press Secretary (May 29, 2015).</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jordan|last=Fabian|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/243451-white-house-nobody-here-derives-pleasure-from-hastert-indictment/|title=White House: Nobody here derives pleasure from Hastert indictment|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 29, 2015}}</ref> On the same day, House Speaker [[John Boehner]], Republican of [[Ohio]], issued a statement saying: "The Denny I served with worked hard on behalf of his constituents and the country. I'm shocked and saddened to learn of these reports."<ref name="timesshear"/><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.speaker.gov/press-release/boehner-statement-former-speaker-dennis-hastert|title=Boehner Statement on Former Speaker Dennis Hastert|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602224905/http://www.speaker.gov/press-release/boehner-statement-former-speaker-dennis-hastert |archive-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>

On May 30, 2015, Illinois's other senator, [[Dick Durbin]], a Democrat, stated: {{cquote|It seems so out of character for Denny. I just never could imagine that he'd be involved in anything like this ... We had our political differences, as you might expect, but I respected him as a colleague in the Illinois delegation and as Speaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/05/30/durbin-stunned-by-hastert-indictment/|title=Durbin 'Stunned' By Hastert Indictment|website=CBS St. Louis/[[KMOX]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531065114/http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/05/30/durbin-stunned-by-hastert-indictment/ |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |date=May 30, 2015}}</ref>
}}

On June 2, 2015, former [[Federal Housing Finance Agency]] director and former U.S. Representative [[Mel Watt]], Democrat of [[North Carolina]], released a statement saying: {{cquote|Over 15 years ago I heard an unseemly rumor from someone who, contrary to what has been reported, was not an intermediary or advocate for the alleged victim's family. It would not be the first nor last time that I, as a Member of Congress, would hear rumors or innuendoes about colleagues. I had no direct knowledge of any abuse by former Speaker Hastert and, therefore, took no action.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Stein|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/02/dennis-hastert-abuse_n_7495320.html?1433271792|title=Fellow Congressman Was Told About Dennis Hastert Abuses|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423030044/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/02/dennis-hastert-abuse_n_7495320.html?1433271792 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 }}</ref>
}}

The Hastert scandal was named by [[MSNBC]] as among the "top political sex scandals of 2015,"<ref>{{cite web|first=Khorri|last=Atkinson|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-top-political-sex-scandals-2015|title=The top political sex scandals of 2015|website=[[MSNBC]]|date=December 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503102451/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-top-political-sex-scandals-2015 |archive-date=May 3, 2017 }}</ref> by the [[Associated Press]] as one of the "top 10 Illinois stories of 2015,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saukvalley.com/2015/12/22/budget-battle-leadership-scandals-top-2015-illinois-stories/axdifvb/|title=Budget battle, leadership scandals top 2015 Illinois stories|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=December 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204084631/http://www.saukvalley.com/2015/12/22/budget-battle-leadership-scandals-top-2015-illinois-stories/axdifvb/ |archive-date=February 4, 2016 }}</ref> and by [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] as one of the "biggest moments on Capitol Hill in 2015."<ref>{{cite web|first=Ali|last=Weinberg|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biggest-moments-capitol-hill-2015/story?id=35996359|title=Biggest Moments on Capitol Hill in 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417141811/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biggest-moments-capitol-hill-2015/story?id=35996359 |archive-date=April 17, 2020|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=December 30, 2015}}</ref> Hastert's sentencing was also named by the [[Associated Press]] as one of "top 10 Illinois stories of 2016".<ref>[http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/cubs-chicago-violence-budget-ap-s-top-illinois-stories-for/article_95513294-9f29-5e4b-93f3-35ce8fb872fc.html Cubs, Chicago violence, budget AP's top Illinois stories for 2016]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Associated Press (December 28, 2016).</ref>

===Arraignment and pretrial proceedings===
The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge [[Thomas M. Durkin]].<ref name="DeBonis"/> In between the unsealing of the indictment and the arraignment, Hastert made no public appearances and did not release any public statement.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=DeBonis|first2=Sari|last2=Horwitz|first3=Jerry|last3=Markon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-hasterts-backyard-mystery-surrounds-the-old-coachs-new-troubles/2015/06/01/2d8b25ee-085d-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html|title=Mystery surrounds Hastert case — including his whereabouts|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919114454/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-hasterts-backyard-mystery-surrounds-the-old-coachs-new-troubles/2015/06/01/2d8b25ee-085d-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html |archive-date=September 19, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Jake|last1=Sherman|first2=John|last2=Bresnahan|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-bail-set-118409.html|title=Hastert lies low as allegations against him intensify|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601002412/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/dennis-hastert-bail-set-118409.html |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |website=[[Politico]]|url-status=live|date=May 29, 2015}}</ref> However, on May 29, 2015, [[CBS Chicago]] reported that Hastert had privately told close friends that "I am a victim, too" and that he was sorry they had to go through the ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jay|last=Levine|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/05/29/dennis-hastert-to-friends-i-am-a-victim-too/|title=Dennis Hastert To Friends: I Am A Victim, Too|website=CBS Chicago|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611195730/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/05/29/dennis-hastert-to-friends-i-am-a-victim-too/ |archive-date=June 11, 2015 }}</ref>

Hastert hired attorney [[Tom Green (attorney)|Thomas C. Green]], a [[White-collar crime|white-collar criminal defense]] lawyer and senior counsel at the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm [[Sidley Austin]], to defend him.<ref name="Meisner Plea"/><ref name=CBSNews.defense>{{cite web|title=Who has Dennis Hastert hired to defend him?|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-hires-defense-attorney-thomas-green/|work=[[CBS News]]|date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609063934/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-hires-defense-attorney-thomas-green/|url-status=live}}</ref> The prosecutors assigned to the case were originally [[Assistant United States Attorney]]s Steven Block and Carrie Hamilton.<ref name="Prosecutors">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2015/08/hastert-gets-orange-is-the-new-black-prosecutor-212776|title=Hastert gets 'Orange Is the New Black' prosecutor|website=[[Politico]]|date=August 21, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823235948/http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2015/08/hastert-gets-orange-is-the-new-black-prosecutor-212776.html |archive-date=August 23, 2015 }}</ref> Hamilton left the U.S. Attorney's Office in July 2015 after being appointed as a judge of the [[Circuit Court of Cook County]]; Diane MacArthur replaced Hamilton on the Hastert prosecution team.<ref name="Prosecutors"/>

The June 9, 2015, arraignment generated a degree of media interest at the [[Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse]] not seen since the proceedings against Illinois governors [[Rod Blagojevich]] and [[George Ryan]] on corruption charges.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-dennis-hastert-unasnwered-questions-met-20150608-story.html|title=Hastert hires Washington attorney as Chicago court braces for media crush|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813094017/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-dennis-hastert-unasnwered-questions-met-20150608-story.html |archive-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-arraignment-20150609-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert out of hiding, arrives at court for arraignment|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416165239/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-arraignment-20150609-story.html |archive-date=April 16, 2019 }}</ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' reported: "Hastert's entrance and exit from the courthouse touched off a wild scene as federal [[Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]] agents escorted Hastert and his attorneys to and from a waiting vehicle amid a crush of television news crews and photographers."<ref name="ReportersCited">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reporters-charged-met-20150611-story.html|title=2 TV reporters cited for violating rules during Hastert's arraignment|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420091455/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reporters-charged-met-20150611-story.html |archive-date=April 20, 2019 }}</ref> At the hearing, Hastert entered a [[plea]] of not guilty.<ref name="Meisner Plea"/><ref name="DaveyPlea"/><ref name="DeBonisPlea">{{cite news|first=Mike|last=DeBonis|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dennis-hastert-is-set-to-break-his-silence-in-chicago-courtroom/2015/06/09/4f91e822-0eba-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html|title=Hastert pleads not guilty to 2 counts of fraud charges in hush-money scandal|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314102510/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dennis-hastert-is-set-to-break-his-silence-in-chicago-courtroom/2015/06/09/4f91e822-0eba-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html |archive-date=March 14, 2016 }}</ref> Durkin set a $4,500 unsecured bond as well as various other conditions of pretrial release, and Hastert surrendered his [[United States passport|passport]].<ref name="AP Arraignment">{{cite web|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-hastert-1st-court-appearance-set-tuesday-31629920?singlePage=true|title=The Latest on Hastert: Ex-Speaker Faces Federal Judge| website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612093735/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-hastert-1st-court-appearance-set-tuesday-31629920?singlePage=true |archive-date=June 12, 2015 }}</ref>

At the arraignment, Durkin disclosed that he had contributed $500 in 2002 and $1000 in 2004 to the Hastert for Congress campaign; the contributions were made while Durkin was a partner at the law firm [[Mayer Brown]], before he was appointed to the federal bench in 2012.<ref name="GersteinContribs">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/denny-hastert-indictment-thomas-durkin-118501.html|title=Hastert judge also donated to his campaigns|website=[[Politico]]|date=June 1, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602134137/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/denny-hastert-indictment-thomas-durkin-118501.html |archive-date=June 2, 2015 }}</ref> Hastert's son, Ethan, was a partner at Mayer Brown.<ref name="GersteinContribs"/> At the arraignment, Durkin stated that he had never met Hastert and that he believed he could be impartial, but gave the parties time to decide whether to object to his involvement in the case.<ref name="DeBonisPlea"/><ref name="AP Arraignment"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Glawe|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/09/hastert-prepares-to-fight.html|title=Dennis Hastert Starts His New Life of Shame|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611200137/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/09/hastert-prepares-to-fight.html |archive-date=June 11, 2015 }}</ref> On June 11, federal prosecutors and Hastert's lawyers filed notices waiving any objection to Durkin presiding over the case.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mike|last=DeBonis|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/11/judge-who-donated-to-dennis-hastert-will-continue-to-hear-hush-money-case/|title=Judge who donated to Hastert campaigns will continue to hear hush-money case|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623223834/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/11/judge-who-donated-to-dennis-hastert-will-continue-to-hear-hush-money-case/ |archive-date=June 23, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/denny-hastert-judge-118891.html|title=Denny Hastert judge will stay on case|website=[[Politico]]|date=June 11, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613231446/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/denny-hastert-judge-118891.html |archive-date=June 13, 2015 }}</ref>

On June 12, federal prosecutors, with the agreement of Hastert's attorneys, filed a [[Motion (law)|motion]] for a [[Injunction|protective order]] seeking to bar the public disclosure of the identity of "Individual A" and other sensitive information.<ref name="ProtectiveOrder">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-protective-order-met-20150612-story.html|title=Feds seek order to protect sensitive details in Dennis Hastert charges|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413205324/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-protective-order-met-20150612-story.html |archive-date=April 13, 2019 }}</ref> The motion states that "the [[Discovery (law)|discovery]] to be provided by the government in this case includes sensitive information, the unrestricted dissemination of which could adversely affect [[Government interest|law enforcement interests]] and the privacy interests of third parties."<ref name="ProtectiveOrder"/> The draft order contained language directing the parties to file any such sensitive information under seal.<ref name="ProtectiveOrder"/> On June 16, Durkin granted the motion for a protective order<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/us/illinois-hastert-evidence-is-shielded.html|title=Illinois: Hastert Evidence is Shielded|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925101648/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/us/illinois-hastert-evidence-is-shielded.html |archive-date=September 25, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-protective-order-met-0617-20150616-story.html|title=Judge approves protective order in Dennis Hastert criminal case|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424160838/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-protective-order-met-0617-20150616-story.html |archive-date=April 24, 2019 }}</ref> but did not sign such an order.<ref name="Burnett">{{cite web|first=Sara|last=Burnett|url=http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150618/NEWS/150619443|title=Lawyer: Leaks in Hastert case 'unconscionable'|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 18, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619093137/http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150618/NEWS/150619443 |archive-date=June 19, 2015 }}</ref>

At a status hearing on July 14 (which Hastert again did not attend), the parties updated the court on preparations for trial.<ref name="SeidelGearUpforTrial">{{cite web|first=Jon |last=Seidel|title=Hastert attorneys shed light on strategy, gear up for trial &#124; Chicago |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/769562/attorneys-back-court-hastert-case |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715015451/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/769562/attorneys-back-court-hastert-case |archive-date=July 15, 2015 }}</ref> At the hearing, Green said: "The indictment has effectively been amended by leaks from the government. It is now an 800-pound gorilla in this case. It has been injected in this case I think impermissibly. (The question is) whether I wrestle with that gorilla or I don't wrestle with that gorilla."<ref name="SchmadekeJuly14Hrg">{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Schmadeke|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-court-met-20150714-story.html|title=Hastert lawyer plans to seek to dismiss indictments, rails against 'leaks from the government'|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420091643/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-court-met-20150714-story.html |archive-date=April 20, 2019 }}</ref> Green also said that the defense would file a motion to dismiss the indictment, possibly under seal.<ref name="SchmadekeJuly14Hrg"/> Durkin "cautioned that even if he allows part or all of the motion to be hidden from the public, his ruling would be public and likely would disclose sealed portions of the motion."<ref name="SchmadekeJuly14Hrg"/> At the same hearing, the prosecution said that they expected a trial to last about two weeks.<ref name="SchmadekeJuly14Hrg"/>

Hastert shut down his "Keep Our Mission" [[leadership PAC]] at the end of June 2015 and transferred $10,000 (the vast majority of the PAC's remaining funds) to a new [[legal defense fund]], the J. Dennis Hastert Defense Trust.<ref name="DefenseFund">{{cite web|first1=Josh|last1=Gerstein|first2=Kenneth P.|last2=Vogel|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/new-defense-fund-set-up-for-dennis-hastert-120846.html|title=New defense fund set up for Dennis Hastert|website=[[Politico]]|date=July 31, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803001710/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/new-defense-fund-set-up-for-dennis-hastert-120846.html |archive-date=August 3, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Brooks|last=Hays|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/08/01/Dennis-Hastert-closes-PAC-starts-legal-defense-fund/7481438452614/|title=Dennis Hastert closes PAC, starts legal defense fund|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|date=August 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816214822/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/08/01/Dennis-Hastert-closes-PAC-starts-legal-defense-fund/7481438452614/ |archive-date=August 16, 2015 }}</ref> A [[Federal Election Commission]] report lists the defense fund's address as a [[Sunapee, New Hampshire]] property owned by Republican donor and ex-[[Gerald Ford]] White House staffer James Rooney.<ref name="DefenseFund"/>

===Guilty plea===
On September 11, 2015, Durkin granted a joint motion by the government and by Hastert to extend the deadline for filing pretrial motions for two weeks, "giving the two sides more time for discussions they have been engaged in."<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-motions-delay-met-20150911-story.html|title=Prosecutors, Hastert's lawyers ask for delay in filing pretrial motions|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421042129/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-motions-delay-met-20150911-story.html |archive-date=April 21, 2019 }}</ref> On September 22, the parties filed another joint motion requesting another two-week extension (from September 28 to October 13); the motion said that the parties were discussing issues that Hastert "may raise in pretrial motions" but provided no details.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Tarm|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hastert-asks-court-extension-file-motions-33957441|title=Hastert Asks Court for Another Extension to File Motions|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929053555/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hastert-asks-court-extension-file-motions-33957441 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 }}</ref> At a hearing on September 28, Hastert's attorneys and the government confirmed that they were discussing a possible [[plea agreement]]. Judge Durkin said that if no plea agreement was reached, he wanted the case to go to trial in March or April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Smith|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/us/court-hearing-in-dennis-hastert-case-reveals-possible-plea-deal.html|title=Court Hearing in Dennis Hastert Case Reveals Possible Plea Deal|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016032641/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/us/court-hearing-in-dennis-hastert-case-reveals-possible-plea-deal.html |archive-date=October 16, 2016 }}</ref> Pretrial motions were due on October 13, but none were filed, indicating that Hastert and the government "were nearing a plea deal."<ref name="Bosman"/>

On October 15, 2015, it was announced at a court hearing that Hastert and federal prosecutors had reached a plea agreement.<ref name="Bosman"/> On October 28, 2015, under the plea agreement, Hastert appeared in court (the only time Hastert appeared personally in court after the arraignment) and pleaded guilty to the [[felony]] structuring charge.<ref name="PleadsGuiltyNYT"/><ref name="TribPlea">{{cite web|first1=Jason|last1=Meisner|first2=Jeff|last2=Coen|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-guilty-plea-hearing-met-20151027-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert pleads guilty to felony charge|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420084646/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-guilty-plea-hearing-met-20151027-story.html |archive-date=April 20, 2019 }}</ref> The charge of "making false statements" (lying to the FBI) was dismissed.<ref name="ReutersGuiltyPlea">{{cite web|first1=Mary|last1=Wisniewsk|first2=Fiona|last2=Ortiz|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-crime-hastert-idUSL1N12S1DU20151028|title=Ex-U.S. House Speaker Hastert pleads guilty in hush-money case|work=[[Reuters]]|date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405184907/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-crime-hastert-idUSL1N12S1DU20151028 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 }}</ref>

Hastert [[Allocution|said in court]]: "I didn't want them [bank officials] to know how I intended to spend the money. I withdrew the money in less than $10,000 increments."<ref name="TribPlea"/> Possible sentences within a preliminary [[Federal Sentencing Guidelines]] calculation ranged from probation to six months in prison.<ref name="PleadsGuiltyNYT"/><ref name="StrokeHospitalized">{{cite web|first=Monica|last=Davey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/18/us/dennis-hastert-former-speaker-remains-in-hospital-after-stroke.html|title=Dennis Hastert, Former Speaker, Hospitalized Since Having Stroke|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406092330/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/18/us/dennis-hastert-former-speaker-remains-in-hospital-after-stroke.html |archive-date=April 6, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="DelaySentencing">{{cite web|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/us/dennis-hasterts-lawyers-ask-for-a-sentencing-delay.html|title=Dennis Hastert's Lawyers Ask for a Sentencing Delay|website= [[The New York Times]]|date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409150348/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/us/dennis-hasterts-lawyers-ask-for-a-sentencing-delay.html |archive-date=April 9, 2016 }}</ref>

The plea agreement allowed Hastert "to avoid a potentially long and embarrassing trial" and was thought to enable him to "keep secret information that he has hidden for years."<ref name="PleadsGuiltyNYT"/><ref name="Bosman"/><ref name="TribPlea"/>

===Sentencing and admission of past sex abuse===
Soon after pleading guilty, Hastert suffered a [[stroke]], and was hospitalized from November 2015 to January 15, 2016.<ref name="DelaySentencing"/> Hastert remained free on bail pending sentencing.<ref name="ReutersGuiltyPlea"/>

Sentencing was originally set for February 29, 2016.<ref name="TribPlea"/> However, in late January 2016, Hastert's attorneys asked the court to delay sentencing due to Hastert's ongoing health problems,<ref name="DelaySentencing"/> and Judge Durkin postponed sentencing until April 8, 2016.<ref name="NearlyDied">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-postponed-20160128-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert nearly died, lawyer says; judge postpones sentencing|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422171542/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-postponed-20160128-story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2019 }}</ref> In March, Durkin ordered the appointment of a medical expert to review Hastert's health in preparation for sentencing.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-medical-expert-appointed-met-20160316-story.html|title=Federal judge orders medical expert review Dennis Hastert's health|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403084931/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-medical-expert-appointed-met-20160316-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 }}</ref> Later in March, Durkin postponed the sentencing hearing (over the objection of Hastert's attorneys) to April 27 so that a man who alleged sexual abuse by Hastert (identified as "Individual D" in court) could testify at the sentencing.<ref name="ThirdMan">{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Zapotosky|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/another-man-alleges-he-was-abused-by-dennis-hastert/2016/03/23/739809f0-f130-11e5-89c3-a647fcce95e0_story.html|title=Another man alleges he was abused by Dennis Hastert|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324184705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/another-man-alleges-he-was-abused-by-dennis-hastert/2016/03/23/739809f0-f130-11e5-89c3-a647fcce95e0_story.html |archive-date=March 24, 2016 }}</ref>

In early April, the parties filed submissions in court ahead of sentencing.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> The maximum sentence for the offense was five years in prison and a $250,000 fine,<ref name="Daveymay"/> although the Federal Sentencing Guidelines range was from probation to six months.<ref name="PleadsGuiltyNYT"/><ref name="StrokeHospitalized"/> Hastert asked for probation.<ref name="NYTSentence"/><ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> A statement released by Hastert's counsel said: "Mr. Hastert acknowledges that as a young man, he committed transgressions for which he is profoundly sorry. He earnestly apologizes to his former students, family, friends, previous constituents and all others affected by the harm his actions have caused."<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/><ref name="Transgressions">{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Smith|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/us/j-dennis-hastert-is-sorry-for-past-transgressions-lawyer-says.html|title=J. Dennis Hastert Is Sorry for Past 'Transgressions,' Lawyer Says|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016032613/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/us/j-dennis-hastert-is-sorry-for-past-transgressions-lawyer-says.html |archive-date=October 16, 2016 }}</ref> Hastert did not provide details.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/><ref name="Transgressions"/>

Hastert also filed under seal a response to the probation department's [[presentence investigation report]].<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> In the prosecution's filing ahead of sentencing, federal prosecutors made allegations of sexual misconduct against Hastert (the first time they had done so publicly), saying that he had [[Child sexual abuse|molested]] at least four boys as young as 14 (including Steve Reinboldt and others) while he worked as a high school wrestling coach decades earlier.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> In a 26-page filing, prosecutors detailed "specific, graphic incidents" of sexual acts.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/><ref name="HillFerranRoss">{{cite web|first1=James|last1=Hill|first2=Lee|last2=Ferran|first3=Brian|last3=Ross|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/disturbing-details-dennis-hasterts-alleged-sex-abuse-revealed/story?id=38252730 |title=Disturbing Details of Hastert's Alleged Sex Abuse Revealed|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=April 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115183902/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/disturbing-details-dennis-hasterts-alleged-sex-abuse-revealed/story?id=38252730 |archive-date=January 15, 2020 }}</ref> Prosecutors asked for a six-month sentence, as called for under federal sentencing guidelines.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> Prosecutors also requested the court to order Hastert to undergo a sex offender evaluation and comply with any recommended treatment.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/> While Hastert's health problems had the possibility to help him avoid prison,<ref name="HealthWoes">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-stroke-20151217-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert in hospital after stroke; health woes may affect sentencing|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=December 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416235116/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-stroke-20151217-story.html |archive-date=April 16, 2019 }}</ref> prosecutors noted in their court filing that he could receive medical treatment while incarcerated, if necessary.<ref name="DaveySmithSentencing"/>

Sixty letters asking for leniency for Hastert were submitted to the court ahead of sentencing, but 19 of these letters were withdrawn after Judge Durkin said that he would not consider any letters that were not made public.<ref name="MeisnerLetters">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-letters-met-20160422-story.html|title=More than 40 letters in support of Hastert made public before sentencing|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403073955/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-letters-met-20160422-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 }}</ref> Of the 41 letters that were made public, several were from current or former members of Congress: [[Tom DeLay]], [[John T. Doolittle]], [[David Dreier]], [[Thomas W. Ewing]], and [[Porter Goss]] (who also is a former [[CIA director]]).<ref name="TarmLetters">{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Tarm|url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-cd3ab1f63b724820af8111106d374430|title=Ex-Congressmen Send Letters Asking for Leniency for Hastert|work=[[Associated Press News]]|date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426163649/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tom-delay-sends-support-letter-hastert-sentencing-38609987 |archive-date=April 26, 2016 }}</ref> ''[[The Chicago Tribune]]'' noted that DeLay and Doolittle "have had legal troubles of their own" stemming from the Abramoff scandal, although DeLay's conviction in that scandal was later overturned and Doolittle was never charged.<ref name="MeisnerLetters"/> Other supporters of Hastert who wrote letters on his behalf included his family members; former [[Illinois Attorney General]] [[Tyrone C. Fahner]]; "local leaders, board members, police officers and others from his home base in rural Kendall County"; and "several members of Illinois' wrestling community."<ref name="MeisnerLetters"/>

At the sentencing hearing on April 27, 2016, the government presented two witnesses. Jolene Burdge, the sister of Steve Reinboldt, read a letter that her brother had written shortly before his death in 1995. Addressing Hastert, Burdge stated that she wanted to "hold you accountable for sexually abusing my brother. I knew your secret, and you couldn't bribe or intimidate your way out. ... You think you can deny your abuse of Steve because he can no longer speak for himself – that's why I'm here."<ref name="TribSentencing">{{cite web|first1=Jason|last1=Meisner|first2=Jeff|last2=Coen|first3=Christy|last3=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-20160427-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert, former U.S. House speaker, sentenced to 15 months in prison|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403064746/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-20160427-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 }}</ref>

The second witness was Scott Cross ("Individual D") who publicly identified himself for the first time. Cross gave emotional testimony, telling the court that Hastert, whom he had trusted, had abused him and caused him to experience "intense pain, shame and guilt."<ref name="NYTSentence"/><ref name="TribSentencing"/><ref name="GutowskiIndD">{{cite web|first=Christy|last=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-dennis-hastert-individual-d-met-20160427-story.html|title=Alleged Hastert victim Individual D is brother of Hastert political ally Tom Cross |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 27, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523233545/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-dennis-hastert-individual-d-met-20160427-story.html |archive-date=May 23, 2020 }}</ref> Cross' oldest brother is longtime [[Illinois House of Representatives]] Republican leader [[Tom Cross (politician)|Tom Cross]], a political protégé of Hastert's.<ref name="TribSentencing"/><ref name="GutowskiIndD"/>

Addressing the court, Hastert—who had arrived at court in a wheelchair—read from a written statement, apologizing for having "mistreated athletes."<ref name="TribSentencing"/> After being pressed by the judge, Hastert admitted to sexually abusing boys whom he coached, saying that he had molested "Individual B" and did not remember some of the others.<ref name="TribSentencing"/> Hastert said he did not remember abusing Cross, "but I accept his statement."<ref name="TribSentencing"/> Hastert stated "what I did was wrong and I regret it ... I took advantage of them."<ref name="TribSentencing"/> Hastert also acknowledged that he had misled the FBI.<ref name="TribSentencing"/> Durkin referred to Hastert as a "serial child molester" and imposed a sentence of 15 months in prison, two years' [[supervised release]], including sex-offender treatment, and a $250,000 fine.<ref name="NYTSentence"/><ref name="APSentencing"/> Hastert is "one of the highest-ranking American politicians ever sentenced to prison."<ref name="APSentencing"/>

Hastert could not be prosecuted for any of the acts of sexual abuse of which he had been accused because the applicable [[statute of limitations]] had expired decades earlier.<ref name="ZornStatute">{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Zorn|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-why-the-statute-of-limitations-protects-hastert-20150608-story.html|title=Why the statute of limitations protects Hastert|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161748/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-why-the-statute-of-limitations-protects-hastert-20150608-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 }}</ref>

====Reactions====
Following the sentence, the ''Chicago Tribune'' editorial board praised "the bravery of the victims and their families who confronted the man who was once second in line to be president" and wrote of the sentence: "The enduring impact is that the truth has been revealed. And for as long as the name Dennis Hastert is recalled, the man once respected as a leader will be known as a criminal, a scoundrel, a child molester."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-dennis-hastert-child-molester-prison-edit-0428-20160427-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert: Child Molester|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414151525/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-dennis-hastert-child-molester-prison-edit-0428-20160427-story.html |archive-date=April 14, 2019 }}</ref> The ''Washington Post'' editorial board hailed the sentence, writing that Hastert's victims "should not have had to struggle with what Mr. Hastert did to them all the while they watched him rise in stature and power."<ref name="WaPoEdApr302016">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-hastert-rule/2016/04/30/ac5de282-0e45-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html|title=Dennis Hastert's betrayal of trust|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502160731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-hastert-rule/2016/04/30/ac5de282-0e45-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html |archive-date=May 2, 2016 }}</ref> The ''Post'' called for extending statutes of limitations in sex abuse cases to give victims more time to come forward and prosecutors more time to pursue perpetrators.<ref name="WaPoEdApr302016"/> ''New York Times'' columnist [[Frank Bruni]] wrote that Hastert's case underscored the danger that comes with the "quickness and frequency with which so many of us equate displays of religious devotion with actual rectitude," noting that Hastert's public displays of Christian faith during his time in office were "a factor in his colleagues' assessments of him as safe, uncontroversial."<ref name="Bruni">{{cite web|first=Frank|last=Bruni|author-link=Frank Bruni|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/01/opinion/sunday/the-many-faces-of-dennis-hastert.html?_r=0|title=The Many Faces of Dennis Hastert|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505221440/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/01/opinion/sunday/the-many-faces-of-dennis-hastert.html?_r=0 |archive-date=May 5, 2016 }}</ref> Bruni also critiqued the testimonials that prominent Republicans submitted on Hastert's behalf before sentencing, saying that these "affirm the degree to which pacts rather than principle govern partisan politics today."<ref name="Bruni"/>

[[Jacob Sullum]] of ''[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]'' opined that the financial structuring offense to which Hastert pleaded guilty "should not be a crime ... even if it occasionally provides the means for punishing actual criminals who would otherwise escape justice."<ref>{{cite web|first=Jacob|last=Sullum|author-link=Jacob Sullum|url=http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/02/serial-child-molester-dennis-hastert-get |title='Serial Child Molester' Dennis Hastert Gets 15 Months for Something That Shouldn't Be Illegal|website=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505142614/http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/02/serial-child-molester-dennis-hastert-get |archive-date=May 5, 2016 }}</ref> [[Conor Friedersdorf]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' expressed similar views, writing: "The alarming aspect of this case is the fact that an American is ultimately being prosecuted for the crime of evading federal government surveillance."<ref>{{cite web|first=Conor|last=Friedersdorf|author-link=Conor Friedersdorf|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/when-evading-government-spying-is-a-crime/394640/|title=Why Is It a Crime to Evade Government Scrutiny?: Prosecutors may suspect Dennis Hastert of serious misconduct, but charging him with trying to avoid surveillance risks criminalizing harmless behavior|website=[[The Atlantic]]|date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107011839/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/when-evading-government-spying-is-a-crime/394640/ |archive-date=January 7, 2017 }}</ref>

The Hastert scandal was one motivation for the advance of legislation in the [[Illinois General Assembly]] to eliminate the statute of limitations for all felony child abuse and [[sexual assault]] offenses.<ref>Eric Bradach, [http://www.columbiachronicle.com/metro/article_dc4bc788-0b6b-11e7-8a6a-f7ced1387bb1.html Lawmakers eliminating time-frame protection for child sex offenders]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Columbia Chronicle'' (March 30, 2017).</ref> The measure unanimously passed the [[Illinois State Senate|state Senate]] in March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foxillinois.com/news/local/removing-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sex-crimes-in-illinois-03-31-2017|title=Removing Statute of Limitations on Child Sex Crimes in Illinois|website=WRSP|date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170245/http://foxillinois.com/news/local/removing-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sex-crimes-in-illinois-03-31-2017 |archive-date=April 5, 2017 }}</ref>

===Incarceration===
Hastert did not appeal his sentence.<ref name="NoAppeal">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-will-not-appeal-conviction-15-month-prison-sentence/|title=Dennis Hastert will not appeal conviction, 15-month prison sentence|website=[[CBS News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815061241/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-will-not-appeal-conviction-15-month-prison-sentence/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 }}</ref> Shortly after being sentenced, Hastert paid the $250,000 fine<ref>{{cite web|first1=James|last1=Hill|first2=Lee|last2=Ferran|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/speaker-dennis-hastert-pays-250k-fine-linked-sex/story?id=39103426|title=Former Speaker Dennis Hastert Pays $250K Fine Linked to Sex Abuse|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015000603/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/speaker-dennis-hastert-pays-250k-fine-linked-sex/story?id=39103426|url-status=live}}</ref> and was ordered to report to prison on June 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Meisner|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-prison-met-20160519-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert to report to prison by June 22 to serve 15-month sentence|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403141817/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-prison-met-20160519-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On that date, Hastert reported to the [[Federal Medical Center, Rochester|Federal Medical Center]] in [[Rochester, Minnesota]] to begin his prison term.<ref>{{cite news|first=Christy|last=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reports-to-prison-met-20160622-story.html|title=Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert reports to prison|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403064432/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reports-to-prison-met-20160622-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2017, after serving about 13 months of a 15-month sentence, Hastert was released from federal prison and returned to Chicago under "residential re-entry management" supervision.<ref name="MadhaniReleased"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Christy|last=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-released-chicago-20170718-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert returns to Illinois to complete sentence|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509042730/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-released-chicago-20170718-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Abuse-related civil lawsuits===

===="James Doe" lawsuit====
In April 2016, "Individual A" sued Hastert for [[breach of contract]] in [[Judiciary of Illinois|Illinois state court]], in Kendall County. "Individual A" (suing under pseudonym "James Doe") sought to collect the remaining $1.8 million in "hush money" allegedly promised to him by Hastert.<ref name="GoskCohenConnor">{{cite web|first1=Stephanie|last1=Gosk|first2=Alan|last2=Cohen|first3=Tracy|last3=Connor|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dennis-hastert-s-accuser-sues-him-1-8-million-n561901|title=Dennis Hastert's Accuser Sues Him for $1.8 Million|website=[[NBC News]]|date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717165633/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dennis-hastert-s-accuser-sues-him-1-8-million-n561901 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="GutowskiSuit">{{cite web|first=Christy|last=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-response-met-20160724-story.html|title=From behind bars, Hastert fights victim's lawsuit|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422011445/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-response-met-20160724-story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=TarmSettles>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Tarm|url=https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-sexual-abuse-illinois-dennis-hastert-99160a4428db66e86da8e275e57c8ec7|title=Ex-House Speaker settles child sexual abuse payments suit|work=[[Associated Press News]]|date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916222129/https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-sexual-abuse-illinois-dennis-hastert-99160a4428db66e86da8e275e57c8ec7 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 }}</ref> In the [[Complaint (law)|complaint]], "Individual A" alleged that he was molested at age 14 by Hastert and that he confronted Hastert after speaking with another of Hastert's alleged victims in 2008.<ref name="GoskCohenConnor"/> Individual A alleged that he suffered [[panic attack]]s and other problems for years as a result of the abuse.<ref name="GoskCohenConnor"/> Hastert [[counterclaim]]ed for return of the hush money, alleging that "Individual A" violated a verbal agreement with him by disclosing the sexual abuse to federal authorities.<ref name="GutowskiSuit"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/dennis-hastert-countersues-assault-victim-to-pay-back-hush-money-1484883026|title=Dennis Hastert Countersues Assault Victim to Pay Back Hush Money|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131911/https://www.wsj.com/articles/dennis-hastert-countersues-assault-victim-to-pay-back-hush-money-1484883026 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 }}</ref>

In November 2016, the court denied Hastert's motion to dismiss.<ref name="SeideGrimm">{{cite web|first1=Jon|last1=Seidel|first2=Andy|last2=Grimm|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/judge-rules-that-hastert-victims-lawsuit-can-proceed/|title=Judge denies motion to dismiss lawsuit by Hastert victim|website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221034419/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/judge-rules-that-hastert-victims-lawsuit-can-proceed/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 }}</ref> In September 2019, the court denied motions for [[summary judgment]] by each side.<ref>{{cite news | last = Gutowski | first = Christy | title = Judge's ruling means lawsuit against former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert may go to trial | newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date = September 11, 2019 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-hush-money-lawsuit-ruling-20190911-svb5mn5gazgp5akzhuah46rcrm-story.html | access-date = September 12, 2019 | archive-date = September 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190912075229/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-hush-money-lawsuit-ruling-20190911-svb5mn5gazgp5akzhuah46rcrm-story.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In September 2021, days before trial was set to begin, Hastert reached a settlement with the plaintiff for an undisclosed amount.<ref name=TarmSettles/>

==== "Richard Doe" lawsuit ====
In May 2016, a second man filed a lawsuit against Hastert. The man alleged that Hastert sexually assaulted him in the bathroom of a community building in Yorkville in the summer of either 1973 or 1974, when the man was nine or ten years old and in the fourth grade. The complaint detailed the alleged violent assault as well as threats allegedly made by Hastert. The man only recognized Hastert as the assailant after Hastert appeared at Yorkville Grade School in gym class.<ref name="Leone">{{cite news|first=Hannah|last=Leone|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-new-hastert-lawsuit-granted-anonymity-st-0530-20170530-story.html|title=Judge grants anonymity in new sex assault suit against Dennis Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420125052/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-new-hastert-lawsuit-granted-anonymity-st-0530-20170530-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rogers">{{cite web|first=Phil|last=Rogers|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/alleged-hastert-victim-police-report-425392744.html|title=For Me, There's No Justice': Latest Alleged Hastert Victim Told Police|website=NBC Chicago|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=June 1, 2017|archive-date=July 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722182824/http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/alleged-hastert-victim-police-report-425392744.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A Kendall County judge granted the man's motion to proceed anonymously under the "Richard Doe" pseudonym.<ref name="Leone"/> In the complaint, the man stated that when he was 20 or 21 years old, he comprehended what had occurred and reported the crime to the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office, but that then-state's attorney Dallas C. Ingemunson "threatened to charge him with a crime and accused him of slandering Hastert's name."<ref name="Leone"/> Ingemunson denied this allegation, calling it "bogus."<ref name="Leone"/> In May 2016, "Richard Doe" filed a report with the Kendall County Sheriff's Office, but the state's attorney's office determined that the statute of limitations barred a complaint against anyone."<ref name="Leone"/> [[WMAQ-TV|NBC Chicago]] obtained a redacted version of the Sheriff's Office police report.<ref name="Rogers"/>

In November 2017, this lawsuit was dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations years earlier.<ref>{{cite news|first=Christy|last=Gutowski|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-thrown-out-20171120-story.html|title=Judge dismisses one of two lawsuits against Dennis Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 20, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403070906/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-thrown-out-20171120-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Mitch|last=Dudek|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/kendall-county-judge-dismisses-sex-abuse-suit-against-dennis-hastert/|title=Kendall County judge dismisses sex abuse suit against Dennis Hastert|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 20, 2017|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201132035/https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/kendall-county-judge-dismisses-sex-abuse-suit-against-dennis-hastert/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Impact upon pensions===
Soon after sentencing, the [[Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois|Illinois Teachers' Retirement System]] announced that Hastert would forfeit future teachers' [[pension]] benefits, effective immediately.<ref name="FreishtatPension">{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Freishtat|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-hastert-trs-pension-st-0429-20160428-story.html|title=Dennis Hastert's educator pension revoked, General Assembly pension unchanged|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403104100/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-hastert-trs-pension-st-0429-20160428-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hastert challenged this decision on the ground that the specific federal crime to which he pleaded guilty was not directly related to his time as a teacher.<ref name="Lester">{{cite news|first=Kerry|last=Lester|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161121/news/161129765/|title=Hastert fighting to get his teacher pension back|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123143732/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161121/news/161129765/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hastert's pension for his service in the Illinois General Assembly—about $28,000 a year<ref name="Lester"/>—was originally unaffected.<ref name="FreishtatPension"/> However, in October 2016, the General Assembly Retirement System board of trustees unanimously voted to suspend Hastert's pension<ref name="Lester"/> and in April 2017 the board voted, 5–2, to terminate the pension.<ref name="Madhani">{{cite news|first=Aamer|last=Madhani|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/26/ex-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-stripped-illinois-pension/100943972/|title=Ex-House speaker Dennis Hastert stripped of Illinois pension|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=April 26, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|archive-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427022520/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/26/ex-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-stripped-illinois-pension/100943972/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2015, Hastert continued to receive his [[congressional pension]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Bridget|last=Bowman|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/hill-blotter/despite-hush-money-plea-hastert-keeps-pension/|title=Despite Hush-Money Plea, Hastert Keeps Pension|magazine=[[Roll Call]]|date=November 5, 2015|access-date=November 6, 2015|archive-date=November 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107215202/http://blogs.rollcall.com/hill-blotter/despite-hush-money-plea-hastert-keeps-pension/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which amounts to approximately $73,000 a year.<ref name="Lester"/>

==Honors==
[[File:SpeakerHastert.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Hastert's official portrait as Speaker, painted by Laurel Stern Boeck. The [[mace of the United States House of Representatives]] is in the background, and the historic House silver inkstand in the foreground. This portrait was unveiled in 2009.<ref name="HastertPortrait">[http://history.house.gov/Collection/Listing/2009/2009-057-000/ Collections Search: John Dennis Hastert] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529073329/http://history.house.gov/Collection/Listing/2009/2009-057-000/ |date=May 29, 2015 }}, United States House of Representatives History, Art & Archives.</ref>]]
In December 1999, Northern Illinois University conferred an [[Honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Laws|LL.D.]] degree upon Hastert.<ref>[http://www.niu.edu/provost/awards/degrees-recipient.shtml Honorary Degrees Recipients] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617080018/http://www.niu.edu/provost/awards/degrees-recipient.shtml |date=June 17, 2015 }}, Division of Academic Affairs, Northern Illinois University.</ref> In May 2016, NIU's board of trustees unanimously voted to revoke Hastert's honorary degree.<ref>[http://northernpublicradio.org/post/niu-trustees-unanimously-rescind-dennis-hasterts-honorary-degree NIU Trustees Unanimously Rescind Dennis Hastert's Honorary Degree] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525160431/http://northernpublicradio.org/post/niu-trustees-unanimously-rescind-dennis-hasterts-honorary-degree |date=May 25, 2016 }}, [[WNIJ]] (May 20, 2016).</ref>

In 2002, [[Lewis University]] conferred an honorary degree upon Hastert. In 2015, following his guilty plea, the university said that it was "reviewing the status of the honorary degree."<ref name="NIUHonorary">{{cite web|first=Rhonda|last=Gillespie|url=http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/11/03/will-dennis-hastert-keep-his-honorary-niu-doctorate/amqz8j7/?__xsl=/print.xsl|title=Will Dennis Hastert keep his honorary NIU doctorate?|website=[[Daily Chronicle (Illinois)|Daily Chronicle]]|date=November 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531131730/http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/11/03/will-dennis-hastert-keep-his-honorary-niu-doctorate/amqz8j7/?__xsl=/print.xsl |archive-date=May 31, 2016 }}</ref> Lewis University no longer shows Hastert as having earned an honorary degree.

The [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] awarded Hastert its Order of Merit in 1995 and named Hastert to its "Hall of Outstanding Americans" in 2000.<ref name="MartinWrestling">{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Martin|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/04/28/dennis-hastert-could-be-stripped-of-wrestling-hall-of-fame-honors/|title=Dennis Hastert could be stripped of Wrestling Hall of Fame honors|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602232543/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/04/28/dennis-hastert-could-be-stripped-of-wrestling-hall-of-fame-honors/ |archive-date=June 2, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="HastertPortraitProfile">{{cite web|first=Katherine|last=Skiba|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-hastert-portrait-us-capitol-20150612-story.html|title=Amid allegations, some consider removing Dennis Hastert's presence|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028191937/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-hastert-portrait-us-capitol-20150612-story.html |archive-date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-dennis-hastert-charges-edit-0602-20150601-story.html|title=Editorial: Erasing Denny Hastert|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426200306/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-dennis-hastert-charges-edit-0602-20150601-story.html |archive-date=April 26, 2019 }}</ref> In May 2016, a few days after Hastert was sentenced to prison, the Hall of Fame (following a review)<ref name="MartinWrestling"/> revoked all of Hastert's honors, the first time the organization had ever taken such an action.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-punished-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame/|title=Hastert first-ever punished by wrestling Hall of Fame|website=[[CBS News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806115416/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dennis-hastert-punished-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref>

The [[Three Fires Council]] of the Boy Scouts of America has honored Hastert with its distinguished service award.<ref name="KirkReact"/><ref name="HastertPortraitProfile"/>

In March 2001, [[President of Lithuania|President]] [[Valdas Adamkus]] of [[Lithuania]] presented Hastert with the [[Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas|Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas]].<ref name="Dickstein"/><ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1341490.html Baltic Report: April 11, 2001] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122165948/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1341490.html |date=January 22, 2011 }}, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Radio Liberty.</ref> In 2004, Hastert was presented the [[Order of the Oak Crown]], Grand Cross by the [[grand duke of Luxembourg]].<ref name="Dickstein"/>

In 2007, the J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government and Public Policy was founded at [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]], the former Speaker's alma mater.<ref>Associated Press, [https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/28/us/ap-us-dennis-hastert-indictment-timeline.html Timeline of the Career of Ex-US House Speaker Dennis Hastert] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530105627/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/28/us/ap-us-dennis-hastert-indictment-timeline.html |date=May 30, 2015 }}, ''The New York Times'' (May 28, 2015).</ref> Hastert resigned from the board of advisers of the center on May 29, 2015, after the indictment against him was released.<ref>Reuters, [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/29/dennis-hastert-sexual-misconduct-charges 'It was sex': Dennis Hastert paid man to hide past misconduct, Los Angeles Times reports] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812174229/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/29/dennis-hastert-sexual-misconduct-charges |date=August 12, 2016 }} (May 29, 2015).</ref> On May 31, 2015, the college announced that it was removing his name from the center, renaming it the Wheaton College Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wheaton/news/ct-wheaton-college-renames-hastert-center-met-20150531-story.html|title=Wheaton College takes 'Hastert' out of center's name in wake of charges|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051647/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wheaton/news/ct-wheaton-college-renames-hastert-center-met-20150531-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, Hastert's official portrait was unveiled and placed in the Speaker's Lobby adjacent to the House chamber, alongside portraits of other past House speakers. The 5' by 3½' portrait, executed by [[Westchester County, New York]] artist Laurel Stern Boeck, cost $35,000 in taxpayer funds.<ref name="HastertPortrait"/><ref name="HastertPortraitProfile"/> In November 2015, the week after Hastert's guilty plea in his criminal case, the portrait was removed from the Speaker's Lobby on orders of Speaker [[Paul Ryan]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Deirdre|last=Walsh|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/politics/paul-ryan-dennis-hastert-portrait/|title=Paul Ryan removes portrait of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert|website=[[CNN]]|date=November 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106060627/http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/politics/paul-ryan-dennis-hastert-portrait/ |archive-date=November 6, 2015 }}</ref>

In May 2009, Hastert accepted the [[Order of San Carlos|Grand Cross of the Order of San Carlos]] from [[Álvaro Uribe]], the [[president of Colombia]].<ref name="Dickstein"/><ref>[http://www.colombiaemb.org/node/1504 President Uribe gives the San Carlos medal to former Speaker of the House of Representatives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040017/http://www.colombiaemb.org/node/1504 |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Embassy of Colombia to the United States (May 27, 2009).</ref>

In May 2010, Hastert accepted the [[Order of the Rising Sun|Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun]] from [[Akihito]], [[emperor of Japan]].<ref name="Fast Facts"/><ref>[http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/embassy/063010remarks.html Remarks by Ambassador Fujisaki at the Reception to Celebrate the Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316065011/http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/embassy/063010remarks.html |date=March 16, 2015 }}, Embassy of Japan in the United States (June 30, 2010).</ref>

In 2012, a plaque funded by private donors, "bearing Hastert's likeness and a list of his accomplishments," was placed in the historic [[Kendall County Courthouse (Illinois)|Kendall County Courthouse]] in downtown Yorkville.<ref name="HastertPortraitProfile"/> The plaque was taken down in 2015, following Hastert's guilty plea.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Schury|date=November 9, 2015|url=http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/11/09/hasterts-legacy-a-black-eye/a6tyq8y/?__xsl=/print.xsl|title=Hastert's legacy 'a black eye': Officials begin removing reminders of former speaker of the House|website=Kane County Chronicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220085345/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/11/09/hasterts-legacy-a-black-eye/a6tyq8y/?__xsl=/print.xsl |archive-date=December 20, 2016 }}</ref>

In early May 2015 (before the indictment was released), a proposal in the [[Illinois Legislature]] to spend $500,000 to commission and install a statue of Hastert in the [[Illinois State Capitol]] was withdrawn at Hastert's request. Hastert called the measure's sponsor ([[Michael Madigan]], the [[speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives]]) and stated that "he appreciated the recognition and honor" but asked that it be deferred given the "fiscal condition" of the state.<ref>{{cite web|first=Monique|last=Garcia|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-dennis-hastert-statue-met-0529-20150528-story.html|title=Hastert statue shelved at Illinois Capitol|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426195522/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-dennis-hastert-statue-met-0529-20150528-story.html |archive-date=April 26, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jordyn|last=Phelps|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dennis-hastert-nixed-statue-honor/story?id=31394608|title=Dennis Hastert Nixed Statue in His Honor|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414082022/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dennis-hastert-nixed-statue-honor/story?id=31394608 |archive-date=April 14, 2023 }}</ref>

In 2015, following the unsealing of the indictment against Hastert the previous month, the Denny Hastert Yorkville Invitational, a popular wrestling tournament in Illinois,<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Lord|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-hastert-tourney-st-0602-20150602-story.html|title=Denny Hastert Yorkville wrestling tournament may get new name|website=[[Aurora Beacon-News]]|date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403081440/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-hastert-tourney-st-0602-20150602-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 }}</ref> was renamed the Fighting Foxes Invitational.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Schury|url=http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/11/09/hasterts-legacy-a-black-eye/a6tyq8y/|title=Hastert's legacy 'a black eye': Officials begin removing reminders of former speaker of the House|website=Kane County Chronicle|date=November 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216211624/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/11/09/hasterts-legacy-a-black-eye/a6tyq8y/ |archive-date=February 16, 2017 }}</ref>

==Personal life==

===Marriage and family===
Hastert has been married to Jean Hastert ([[Maiden name|née]] Kahl) since 1973.<ref name="Fast Facts"/> They have two children, Ethan and Joshua.<ref name="Fast Facts"/> Hastert's older son, Joshua, was a lobbyist for the firm [[PodestaMattoon]],<ref>[http://www.podesta.com/biopages/JoshHastert.htm Webpage of PodestaMatton for Josh Hastert]. Retrieved October 2, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907231110/http://www.podesta.com/biopages/JoshHastert.htm |date=September 7, 2006 }}</ref> representing clients ranging from [[Amgen]], a biotech company, to [[Lockheed Martin]], a defense contractor. This provoked criticism from Congress Watch: "There definitely should be restrictions [on family members registering as lobbyists] ... This is family members cashing in on connections ... [and it] is an ideal opportunity for special interest groups to exploit family relationships for personal gain." Joshua Hastert responded to the allegation by saying that he did not lobby House Republican leaders.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Kranish|url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/01/28/family_ties_spark_concern_in_lobby_debate/?page=1|title=Family ties spark concern in lobby debate; Watchdogs want Congress to act|website=[[Boston Globe]]|date=January 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172403/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/01/28/family_ties_spark_concern_in_lobby_debate/?page=1 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref>

Hastert's son Ethan ran in 2010 as a Republican for his father's old congressional seat (Illinois' 14th congressional district), but was defeated in the primary by Illinois State Senator [[Randy Hultgren]].<ref name="Fuller">{{cite web|first=James|last=Fuller|url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=355783|title=Hastert's son loses race to Hultgren|website=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=February 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529071100/http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=355783 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> Hultgren received 55 percent of the vote, while Hastert received 45 percent.<ref name="Fuller"/> In 2011, Ethan won a seat on the village board of [[Elburn, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x230259546/Son-of-former-U-S-House-Speaker-Hastert-wins-village-board-race|title=Son of former U.S. House Speaker Hastert wins village board race|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=April 6, 2011|newspaper=[[The State Journal-Register]]|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-date=April 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430221742/http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x230259546/Son-of-former-U-S-House-Speaker-Hastert-wins-village-board-race|url-status=live}}</ref> Ethan left the Elburn village board in 2014 because he and his family moved to nearby [[Campton Hills, Illinois|Campton Hills]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Al |last=Lagattolla|url=http://kcchronicle.com/2014/10/21/hastert-leaving-elburn-village-board/amdevhg/|title=Hastert leaving Elburn Village Board|website=Kane County Chronicle|date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529071901/http://kcchronicle.com/2014/10/21/hastert-leaving-elburn-village-board/amdevhg/ |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}</ref> As of 2015, Ethan was a partner at the Chicago office of the law firm [[Mayer Brown]].<ref name="Seidel"/><ref>[http://www.mayerbrown.com/people/Ethan-A-Hastert/ Ethan A. Hastert Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529071412/http://www.mayerbrown.com/people/Ethan-A-Hastert/ |date=May 29, 2015 }}, Mayer Brown.</ref>

===Health===
Hastert suffers from [[Diabetes mellitus type 2|type 2 diabetes]] and requires daily [[insulin]] injections.<ref name="Fast Facts"/><ref name="Health, Ex-House speaker Dennis Hastert">{{cite web|first=Chuck|last=Goudie|url=http://abc7chicago.com/news/dennis-hastert-to-ask-for-probation-at-sentencing/1279622/|title=Dennis Hastert to ask for probation at sentencing|website=ABC 7|date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071655/http://abc7chicago.com/news/dennis-hastert-to-ask-for-probation-at-sentencing/1279622/|archive-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Surgery">{{cite web|first=Rudolph|last=Bush|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/04/07/hastert-has-minor-surgery/|title=Hastert has minor surgery|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 7, 2005}}</ref> Because of his condition, he sometimes walked with protective coverings on his feet to avoid [[Diabetic foot|foot problems]].<ref name="Seidel"/>

Hastert has received treatment for [[kidney stone]]s at least three times. In 2005, he underwent minor surgery at [[Bethesda Naval Hospital]] to remove kidney stones.<ref name="Surgery"/> In 2006, Hastert was hospitalized for [[cellulitis]] (a type of bacterial skin infection).<ref>{{cite web|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13846760|title=House Speaker hospitalized for skin infection: Hastert expected to get treatment through the weekend|website=[[NBC News]] |date=July 13, 2006}}</ref>

In November 2015, the week after entering a guilty plea in federal court, Hastert suffered a [[stroke]] and was hospitalized until January 15, 2016.<ref name="DelaySentencing"/> According to his attorney, Hastert was additionally treated for [[sepsis]] and a [[blood infection]], and underwent two back operations.<ref name="StrokeHospitalized"/><ref name="HealthWoes"/> At a court hearing in February 2016, Hastert's attorney said that Hastert "nearly died" from the blood infection.<ref name="NearlyDied"/>

==Electoral history==

===Congressional elections===
{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1986 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1986 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38224| title=IL District 14 (November 4, 1986 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095736/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38224| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert
  |votes      = 77,288
  |percentage = 52.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Mary Lou Kearns
  |votes      = 70,293
  |percentage = 47.63%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1988 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1988 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37599| title=IL District 14 (November 8, 1988 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095537/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37599| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 161,146
  |percentage = 73.71%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Stephen Youhanaie
  |votes      = 57,482
  |percentage = 26.29%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1990 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1990 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=33978| title=IL District 14 (November 6, 1990 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095316/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=33978| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 112,383
  |percentage = 66.91%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Donald Westphal
  |votes      = 55,592
  |percentage = 33.10%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1992 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1992 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27850| title=IL District 14 (November 3, 1992 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095551/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27850| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 155,271
  |percentage = 67.33%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jonathan Abram Reich
  |votes      = 75,294
  |percentage = 32.65%
}}
{{Election box candidate no party in partisan race no change|
  |candidate  = ''([[Write-in candidate|write-in votes]])''
  |votes      = 59
  |percentage = 0.03
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1994 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1994 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28802| title=IL District 14 (November 8, 1994 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095235/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28802| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 110,204
  |percentage = 76.48%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Steve Denari
  |votes      = 33,891
  |percentage = 23.52%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1996 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1996 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23295| title=IL District 14 (November 5, 1996 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095507/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23295| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 134,432
  |percentage = 64.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Doug Mains
  |votes      = 74,332
  |percentage = 35.61%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[1998 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|1998 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23302| title=IL District 14 (November 3, 1998 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202153630/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23302| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 117,304
  |percentage = 69.76%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Robert A. Cozzi Jr.
  |votes      = 50,844
  |percentage = 30.24%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[2000 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|2000 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=461| title=IL District 14 (November 7, 2000 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095247/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=461| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 188,597
  |percentage = 73.99%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Vern Deljohnson
  |votes      = 66,309
  |percentage = 26.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Independent 
  |candidate  = John Rosengarten
  |votes      = 3
  |percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[2002 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|2002 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1080| title=IL District 14 (November 5, 2002 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095415/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1080| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 135,198
  |percentage = 74.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Lawrence J. Quick
  |votes      = 47,165
  |percentage = 25.86%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[2004 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|2004 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4126| title=IL District 14 (November 2, 2004 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095256/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4126| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 191,618
  |percentage = 68.63%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Ruben Zamora
  |votes      = 87,590
  |percentage = 31.37%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[2006 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|2006 Illinois's 14th congressional district election]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206857| title=IL District 14 (November 7, 2006 election)| website=www.ourcampaigns.com| access-date=February 1, 2019| archive-date=February 2, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095746/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206857| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Incumbent|I]])
  |votes      = 117,870
  |percentage = 59.79%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John Laesh
  |votes      = 79,274
  |percentage = 40.21%
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Speaker of the House elections===
{{Election box begin no change | title=1999 election for [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]]{{snd}}[[106th United States Congress|106th Congress]]<ref>{{cite web| title=145 ''Cong. Rec.'' 42 (1999)| url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-1999-pt1/pdf/CRECB-1999-pt1-Pg42-3.pdf| publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=March 24, 2019| archive-date=March 6, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306112408/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-1999-pt1/pdf/CRECB-1999-pt1-Pg42-3.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert ([[Illinois's 14th congressional district|IL 14]])
  |votes      = 222
  |percentage = 52.00
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Dick Gephardt]] ([[Missouri's 3rd congressional district|MO 3]])
  |votes      = 205
  |percentage = 48.00
}}
{{Election box total no change|
  |votes      = 427
  |percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box necessary no change|
  |votes      = 214
  |percentage = >50
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2001 election for [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]]{{snd}}[[107th United States Congress|107th Congress]]<ref>{{cite web| title=147 ''Cong. Rec.'' 20 (2001)| url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2001-pt1/pdf/CRECB-2001-pt1-Pg20-3.pdf| publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=March 24, 2019| archive-date=March 6, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306174842/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2001-pt1/pdf/CRECB-2001-pt1-Pg20-3.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref><br />* denotes incumbent}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert* ([[Illinois's 14th congressional district|IL 14]])
  |votes      = 222
  |percentage = 51.50}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Dick Gephardt]] ([[Missouri's 3rd congressional district|MO 3]])
  |votes      = 206
  |percentage = 47.80
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[John Murtha]] ([[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district|PA 12]])
  |votes      = 1
  |percentage = 0.23
}}
{{Election box candidate minor party no change|
  |color      = #f5f5f5
  |party      = {{spaces|3}}—
  |candidate  = {{spaces|3}}''[[Abstention|Present]]''
  |votes      = 2
  |percentage = 0.47
}}
{{Election box total no change|
  |votes      = 431
  |percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box necessary no change|
  |votes      = 216
  |percentage = >50
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2003 election for [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]]{{snd}}[[108th United States Congress|108th Congress]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.congress.gov/crec/2003/01/07/CREC-2003-01-07-pt1-PgH2-2.pdf| title=149 ''Cong. Rec.'' H2–3 (2003)| date=January 7, 2003| publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=March 24, 2019| archive-date=February 15, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215032614/https://congress.gov/crec/2003/01/07/CREC-2003-01-07-pt1-PgH2-2.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref><br />* denotes incumbent}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert* ([[Illinois's 14th congressional district|IL 14]])
  |votes      = 228
  |percentage = 52.53
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Nancy Pelosi]] ([[California's 8th congressional district|CA 8]])
  |votes      = 201
  |percentage = 46.31
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[John Murtha]] ([[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district|PA 12]])
  |votes      = 1
  |percentage = 0.23
}}
{{Election box candidate minor party no change|
  |color      = #f5f5f5
  |party      = {{spaces|3}}—
  |candidate  = {{spaces|3}}''[[Abstention|Present]]''
  |votes      = 4
  |percentage = 0.93
}}
{{Election box total no change|
  |votes      = 434
  |percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box necessary no change|
  |votes      = 218
  |percentage = >50
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2005 election for [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]]{{snd}}[[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]]<ref>{{cite web| title=151 ''Cong. Rec.'' 37 (2005)| url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2005-pt1/pdf/CRECB-2005-pt1-Pg37-3.pdf| work=Congressional Record| publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=March 24, 2019| archive-date=March 6, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306112524/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2005-pt1/pdf/CRECB-2005-pt1-Pg37-3.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref><br />* denotes incumbent}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Dennis Hastert* ([[Illinois's 14th congressional district|IL 14]])
  |votes      = 226
  |percentage = 52.92
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Nancy Pelosi]] ([[California's 8th congressional district|CA 8]])
  |votes      = 199
  |percentage = 46.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[John Murtha]] ([[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district|PA 12]])
  |votes      = 1
  |percentage = 0.24
}}
{{Election box candidate minor party no change|
  |color      = #f5f5f5
  |party      = {{spaces|3}}—
  |candidate  = {{spaces|3}}''[[Abstention|Present]]''
  |votes      = 1
  |percentage = 0.24
}}
{{Election box total no change|
  |votes      = 427
  |percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box necessary no change|
  |votes      = 214
  |percentage = >50
}}
{{Election box end}}

==See also==
*[[List of federal political scandals in the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=h000323 | votesmart= | fec=H6IL14095 | congress= }}<!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00004781 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Dennis_Hastert.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* -->
* {{C-SPAN|11301}}
** [https://www.c-span.org/video/?182786-1/speaker ''Booknotes'' interview with Hastert on ''Speaker: Lessons from 40 Years in Coaching and Politics''] (August 15, 2004)
* [https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-pdf-transcript-of-sentencing-of-dennis-hastert-20160427-htmlstory.html Transcript] (PDF) of Hastert sentencing hearing (April 27, 2015), made available by the ''Chicago Tribune''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150325174432/http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/people/speaker-j-dennis-hastert Official biography] from [[Dickstein Shapiro]] (this profile was removed from the firm's website after Hastert resigned following the announcement of the indictment, but the [[Internet Archive]] preserved a copy of the profile as it appeared on March 25, 2015)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080227212550/http://www.newsmeat.com/campaign_contributions_to_politicians/donor_list.php?candidate_id=H6IL14095 NewsMeat list of contributors to Hastert's campaigns]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150601013701/http://www2.wheaton.edu/learnres/ARCSC/gallery/hastert/exhibit/ Hastert Exhibit] from Wheaton College Archives and Special Collections; includes archival photo gallery

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John E. Grotberg|John Grotberg]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Illinois|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Illinois's 14th congressional district]]|years=1987–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill Foster (politician)|Bill Foster]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Smith Walker|Bob Walker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives#Party whips and assistant party leaders|House Republican Chief Deputy Whip]]|years=1995–1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Roy Blunt]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Newt Gingrich]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|House Republican Leader]]|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Boehner]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Newt Gingrich]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nancy Pelosi]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Newt Gingrich]]|as=Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former Speaker of U.S. US House of Representatives}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Boehner]]|as=Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives}}
{{s-end}}

{{USHouseSpeaker}}
{{Republican Party (United States)}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=100th–110th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Illinois|Illinois]]}}
{{USCongRep/IL/100}}
{{USCongRep/IL/101}}
{{USCongRep/IL/102}}
{{USCongRep/IL/103}}
{{USCongRep/IL/104}}
{{USCongRep/IL/105}}
{{USCongRep/IL/106}}
{{USCongRep/IL/107}}
{{USCongRep/IL/108}}
{{USCongRep/IL/109}}
{{USCongRep/IL/110}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hastert, Dennis}}
[[Category:Dennis Hastert|*]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American educators]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Illinois General Assembly]]
[[Category:20th-century evangelicals]]
[[Category:21st-century American criminals]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century evangelicals]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American people of Luxembourgian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:American politicians convicted of sex offences]]
[[Category:American prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:American wrestling coaches]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United States]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun]]
[[Category:Illinois politicians convicted of corruption]]
[[Category:Illinois politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Illinois Republicans]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against boys]]
[[Category:Members of Congress who became lobbyists]]
[[Category:Northern Illinois University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Yorkville, Illinois]]
[[Category:People stripped of honorary degrees]]
[[Category:Politicians from Aurora, Illinois]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois]]
[[Category:Schoolteachers from Illinois]]
[[Category:Sex scandals in the United States]]
[[Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Violence against men in the United States]]
[[Category:Wheaton College (Illinois) alumni]]