Ex-House Speaker Hastert Lawyers Talking Possible Plea Deal
In this June 9, 2015 file photo, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert departs the federal courthouse in Chicago after his arraignment on charges of violating banking rules and lying to the FBI after he allegedly agreed in 2010 to pay $3.5 million to someone to hide past misconduct. Christian K. Lee/AP, File
Prosecutors and defense attorneys for former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert have told a federal judge they're talking about a possible plea deal in the Republican's hush-money case.
The disclosure came Monday during a hearing in federal court in Chicago for the 73-year-old Republican. Details weren't immediately released.
The one-time teacher and wrestling coach has pleaded not guilty to violating banking laws and lying to the FBI.
A May indictment says Hastert agreed to pay $3.5 million to someone, identified only as "Individual A,'' to hide past misconduct.
The Associated Press and other media, citing anonymous sources, have reported the payments were intended to conceal claims of sexual misconduct decades ago.