One of the victims of House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s alleged sexual abuse identified himself in court Wednesday.
Scott Cross, the now-53-year-old brother of former Illinois state Rep. Tom Cross, identified himself as “individual D” during an emotional testimony at Hastert’s sentencing. Tom Cross, a Republican who served as the former state House minority leader, was often seen as one of Hastert’s political proteges, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Scott Cross said he came forward after learning that Hastert has been paying “individual A” to keep quiet, saying that he could no longer keep the secret.
Scott Cross said in the courtroom Wednesday that Hastert, his former coach, molested him one time when he was 17. Hastert’s attorneys have said their client does not recall the alleged incident.
“I trusted Coach Hastert,” Scott Cross said in the courtroom. “It’s important for me to tell the truth finally about what happened to me. I could no longer remain silent.”
Hastert left Yorvkille High School in 1981 — one year after Scott Cross, who was on the wrestling team for four years — and graduated to become a state representative. Tom Cross was elected to the Illinois house in 1992 and served as GOP leader from 2003-13.
Hastert was in court Wednesday to be sentenced six months after pleading guilty to paying $1.7 million in hush money to cover up alleged sexual abuse from his days as a teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School.
