Dennis Hastert Could Go to Trial in Spring 2016

Attorneys for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and federal prosecutors are trying to work out a deal on his criminal charges, but if one can’t be reached soon the judge will set a spring trial date.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin on Monday said he’ll set a date for March or April on allegations Hastert lied to FBI agents about making illegal bank withdrawals. The U.S. attorney’s office alleges Hastert skirted federal regulations in order to pay off someone who was threatening to go public with tales of sexual misconduct.

Monday’s court proceedings offered the first sign of a possible plea agreement.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that defense lawyers will move to get the case tossed if a suitable agreement isn’t struck:

If the case isn’t resolved, defense attorneys said they will file a 37-page motion trying to get the entire case thrown out, based on alleged government misconduct in the case, as well as legal arguments attacking the charge that Hastert lied to an FBI agent. Prosecutors deny any government misconduct.

The next hearing is on the docket for Oct. 15.

Hastert’s lawyers have said leaks by federal sources about the nature of the payments — that they were used to hush up someone who threatened to expose Hastert’s involvement in sexual misconduct dating back to his days as a high school teacher — threaten his chance of a fair trial.

Before entering politics, Hastert was a high school teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville between 1965 and 1981. He served in the state legislature until 1986. The Kendall County Republican represented the 14th Congressional District for 20 years, from 1987 to 2007. He served as Speaker from 1999 to 2007. He’s been a lobbyist since 2008.

Hastert, 73, of Plano, was born in Aurora in 1942 and grew up in Oswego.