Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a Republican who represented Illinois for more than two decades, dies at age 84, multiple outlets report. His death follows years after his political career ended in disgrace and after he served a prison sentence.
The reports describe Hastert’s earlier prominence, including his long tenure as House speaker, as well as the criminal case that led to his incarceration. Most outlets cite his federal conviction related to banking and other financial crimes connected to a scheme to cover up allegations of sexual abuse.
Several sources also reference the underlying abuse allegations and his later admissions. The Independent, New York Post, and New York Times note that Hastert admitted in 2016 to sexually abusing teenage boys decades earlier, when he worked as a high school teacher and wrestling coach. Other outlets focus more on his political role and the prison term, calling him the highest-ranking U.S. official to serve jail time for federal crimes.
