Ex-House Speaker Dennis Hastert pleads not guilty in hush money case

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Dennis Hastert appeared in court Tuesday for the first time since he was indicted, pleading not guilty to charges that he violated banking rules and lied to the FBI in a scheme to pay $3.5 million in hush money to conceal misconduct from his days as a high school teacher.

 

Defense attorney Thomas C. Green entered the pleas on Hastert's behalf.

 

The 73-year-old Republican has not spoken publicly about the accusations that emerged two weeks ago and raised questions about possible sexual abuse by a man who was once second in the line of succession to the presidency.

 

The politician-turned-lobbyist stepped before Judge Thomas M. Durkin on charges that he broke federal banking laws by withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and lying about the money when questioned.

 

A crush of reporters, photographers and TV cameras began gathering at dawn to ensure they did not miss Hastert if he arrived early for his arraignment. A long line also formed early outside the 14th-floor courtroom, and an overflow room was set aside for those unable to get in.

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His day in court.