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Yes.

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Thursday reached a plea deal in a criminal case involving charges that he paid $3.5 million is hush money to cover up wrongdoing from decades ago as a high school teacher in Illinois.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin ordered Hastert to enter the guilty plea at 9 a.m. on Oct. 28, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

Sources previously told POLITICO on Wednesday that it is likely the deal will include more than a year in prison for violating a federal banking law because he withdrew $900,000 to pay someone in an effort to cover up past misconduct.

There's still something about this whole matter that confuses me. First, this was not about exposing Hastert for his actions..rather, it was about getting a financial settlement.

This way, the victim exposes himself to possible charges of blackmail/extortion, and if he does get the money, he owes income taxes on it, and is liable to the IRS if he doesn't report it.

Instead..why not hire an atty..who is bound by confidentially. Lawyer draws up a suit.. contacts Hastert's atty..they meet, work out the settlement..draw up the document..with non-disclosure language..Hastert cuts a check..legally...and I'm pretty sure that income from a civil settlement is not subject to income tax..and everyone's happy, and nobody else knows anything..