CHICAGO - When former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Plano pleaded guilty in federal court this week, it heightened interest about Individual A, and what exactly the problem between Hastert and Individual A was.
Why would Hastert have agreed to feed him $3.5 million and how did the agreement between the two of them benefit Hastert? Why did Hastert allegedly lie to the FBI?
The public - who are the ones that paid Hastert's salary as public school teacher, wrestling coach, congressman and third in line to the presidency - may learn just a little more during the sentencing phase on February 29, 2016 in front of U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin - House Minority Leader Jim Durkin's brother. But, there is no guarantee we'll ever know the whole truth.
“Now that Mr. Hastert has pled guilty, and the Court has accepted his guilty plea, the case will proceed to sentencing," Illinois Northern District U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement.
"As part of the sentencing process in this case, as in all cases, we will provide the Court with relevant information about the defendant’s background and the charged offenses, and the defendant will have an opportunity to do the same, so that the Court can impose an appropriate sentence taking into account all relevant factors in the case. We have no further comment about the matter at this time.”
The 73 year old Hastert could be sentenced to probation or up to five years in federal prison.