Let's assume the worst, that it's a Sandusky type case. The victim gets a lawyer, who contacts Hastert and his atty. A settlement is agreed to, and paid, and it's sealed...no public disclosure..one assume's both sides want that.
Also, a civil settlement is INCOME TAX FREE to the recipient. This way, the "blackmailer" is now stuck for taxes on the money he received.
Pretty dumb all the way around...
Sealed agreements can get leaked by a 3rd party. Just ask Jack Ryan or Bill O'Reilly.
Sandusky didn’t just pay money.
He is in prison.
Properly so.
I really think everyone speculating he engaged in some illegal activity back in the day should read what ken5050 posted. He raises some good points there. We have to believe Hastert has the means to hire legal assistance to advise him before he started to pay off the blackmailer. So the points raised by ken5050 must be known by him.
He probably did something embarrassing but not illegal otherwise it all makes no sense. The blackmailer could have settled with Hastert out of court and it all would be legitimate. There’s no motivation for the blackmailer to go this route unless it’s something highly embarrassing but still legal.
It’s useless to speculate what that was until more facts come out. Useless gossip really.