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A judge has sentenced Former House speaker Dennis Hastert — who plead guilty to federal charges of organizing his bank accounts in order keep secret a history of sexual abuse claims from former high school wrestlers he used to coach — to at least two years of supervised release.
He also ordered him to take part in sex offender programs, and not to contact the victims.
In the sentencing, which is still underway and may include additional penalties, Federal District Court Judge Thomas Durkin called Hastert a "serial child molester," and added that the public deserved to know about his history of abuse.
Before handing down his sentence, Durkin asked Hastert if he abused one of the victims, Steven Reinboldt, whose sister testified earlier. Hastert told the judge it was a different situation, but did not elaborate.
Hastert was indicted in May on charges of “structuring financial payments” of $3.5 million to conceal “prior bad acts.”
Hastert, who plead guilty to the financial charges in October, also admitted that he had paid $3.5 million to one former wrestler for misconduct said to have been committed several years ago. On Monday, the same victim sued Hastert for neglecting to pay him a remaining $1.8 million from their original agreement.
Following his sentence for sexual abuse charges, Judge Durkin then addressed his financial misconduct.
He pointed out that Hastert played a role in passing the bank structuring rule he later violated in order to cover up his sexual abuse charges by paying off a victim.
Over the past several years, Hastert withdrew $1.7 million in cash, which included $956,000 in transactions less than $10,000.
Durkin implored Hastert for his financial maneuvers, given his stance that he did not abuse the victims.
“If in your own mind you didn’t abuse anybody, why pay Individual A [or James Doe] $3.5 million?” he asked Hastert.
Durkin repeatedly referred to Hastert as a liar and a child molester throughout his reading.
“Nothing is more stunning than having the words of a child molester and former Speaker of the House in the same sentence,” Durkin said.
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The judge read letters of support for Hastert, acknowledging both the positive effects brought on by his public service and the weight of his current charges.
“Sometimes actions can obliterate a lifetime of good works,” he said.
Before Federal District Court Judge Thomas Durkin issued Hastert’s sentences, the court heard testimonies both from former victims and their families.
The first testimony came from Jolene Burdge, Reinboldt's sister. He told Burdge years ago that Hastert had abused him, and died of AIDS in 1995 when he was 42 years old.
Burdge began by reading a letter her brother wrote five months before he died. She said her brother died alone, and that he had been keeping a secret.
She added that she confronted Hastert shortly after her brother died in 1995.
After reading the letter, Burdge told Hastert, “I know your secret. I hope I have been your worst nightmare.”
Burdge asserted that she would continue to represent her brother’s story because he was no longer able to.
“You think you can deny your abuse of Steve because he cannot speak for himself,” she said to Hastert, according to reporters in court, adding that her brother experienced trauma for the rest of his life following the abuse. “That is why I am here.”
“You were supposed to keep him safe,” she told him.
The next individual to speak was Scott Cross, now 53 years old and a former wrestler abused by Hastert during his senior year of high school. Cross is also the brother of Tom Cross, who was mentored by Hastert, and is currently a House Republican Leader.
Cross referred to Hastert as “Coach Hastert” during his testimony, adding that he grew up wanting to wrestle for his team at Yorkville High School.
"Staying silent for years was worse. It is important to tell the truth...about what happened to me," he told the court. "I could no longer remain silent."
This is a developing news story. Check back for updates or follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
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