Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert reportedly paid a student to keep quiet about sexual abuse allegations when he was a wrestling coach and teacher at Yorkville High School in Yorkville, Illinois, reports CNN. He then lied to the FBI about it. On Thursday, Hastert’s lawyers said he would plead guilty on those charges.
Hastert's attorneys told U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin on Thursday that they have reached a plea agreement on the charges that he lied to federal investigators about plans to pay someone he had wronged $3.5 million in hush money.
The “someone” is believed to be a student at Yorkville High.
Jolene Burdge, who claims Hastert abused her brother, was “thrilled” with the news.
"This solidifies the fact that he is guilty ... that he abused his position," Burdge added.
"In a way, I would have preferred it went to trial, but I never thought it would. This is as good as it's going to get from him."
Hastert is expected to announce his guilty plea Oct. 28.