Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will not appeal his prison sentence handed down last month.
Hastert, the nation’s longest-serving Republican speaker, was sentenced to 15 months in prison last month for violating federal bank laws in sending hush money to sexual abuse victims.
Judge Thomas Durkin of the Northern District of Illinois called Hastert a “serial child molester” after admitting he had committed sexual abuse during his time as a teacher and coach at an Illinois high school some 50 years ago.
Last year, Hastert admitted his guilt in violating federal bank laws by making a series of withdrawals to avoid federal disclosure requirements. The withdrawals were intended to pay off one of the people who was victimized by Hastert. He also admitted that he had lied to FBI agents investigating the case.
Since then, other victims of Hastert’s sexual abuse have come forward.
Hastert’s lawyers had originally asked for probation.
John Gallo, Hastert’s Chicago-based attorney, confirmed in an email Thursday to the Chicago Tribune that he will not appeal the prison sentence. He did not elaborate.
