Dennis Hastert

American politician (born 1942)

Dennis Hastert was a prominent American politician who served as the Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007, making him the longest-serving Republican Speaker. However, in 2016, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for financial crimes related to the sexual abuse of teenage boys during his time as a high school wrestling coach.

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About the Dennis Hastert

John Dennis Hastertis an American former politician, teacher, and wrestling coach who represented Illinois’s 14th congressional district from 1987 to 2007 and served as the 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007. Hastert was the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House in history. After Democrats gained a majority in the House in 2007, Hastert resigned and began work as a lobbyist. In 2016, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for financial offenses related to the sexual abuse of teenage boys.

From 1965 to 1981, Hastert was a high school teacher and coach at Yorkville High School in Yorkville, Illinois. He lost a 1980 bid for the Illinois House of Representatives but ran again and won a seat in 1981. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986 and was re-elected every two years until he retired in 2007. Hastert rose through the Republican ranks in the House, becoming chief deputy whip in 1995 and speaker in 1999. As Speaker of the House, Hastert supported the George W. Bush administration’s foreign and domestic policies. After Democrats took control of the House in 2007 following the 2006 elections, Hastert declined to seek the position of minority leader, resigned his House seat, and became a lobbyist at the firm of Dickstein Shapiro.

In May 2015, Hastert was indicted on federal charges of structuring bank withdrawals to evade bank reporting requirements and making false statements to federal investigators. Federal prosecutors said that the funds withdrawn by Hastert were used as hush money to conceal his past sexual misconduct. In October 2015, Hastert entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Under the agreement, Hastert pleaded guilty to the structuring charge (a felony); the charge of making false statements was dropped. In court submissions filed in April 2016, federal prosecutors alleged that Hastert had molested at least four boys as young as 14 years of age during his time as a high school wrestling coach. At a sentencing hearing, Hastert admitted that he had sexually abused boys whom he had coached. Referring to Hastert as a “serial child molester”, a federal judge imposed a sentence of 15 months in prison, two years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Hastert was imprisoned in 2016 and was released 13 months later; he became the highest-ranking elected official in U.S. history to serve a prison sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dennis Hastert was a former politician who represented Illinois’s 14th congressional district from 1987 to 2007 and served as the 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.

Before entering politics, Dennis Hastert was a high school teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School in Yorkville, Illinois from 1965 to 1981.

In 2016, Dennis Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for financial crimes related to the sexual abuse of teenage boys during his time as a high school wrestling coach.

Dennis Hastert was the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House, serving from 1999 to 2007.

After Democrats gained control of the House in 2007, Dennis Hastert resigned from his House seat and became a lobbyist at the firm of Dickstein Shapiro.

As Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert supported the George W. Bush administration’s foreign and domestic policies.

Dennis Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his financial crimes related to the sexual abuse of teenage boys.

29 Quotes by Dennis Hastert

  1. 1.

    Too many employers have said that they are unable to find skilled workers.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  2. 2.

    Trade creates jobs and lifts people out of poverty. And when that happens, societies stabilize and grow. And there is nothing like a stable society to fight terrorism and strengthen democracy, freedom and rule of law.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  3. 3.

    It’s a tough time my friends. We need to make sacrifices to ensure our troops have the tools they need in order to get the job done. This budget will help us win the War on Terror.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  4. 4.

    Unfortunately, opponents of online speech have decided to punish our changing technological world.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  5. 5.

    Cagey trial lawyers have figured out there’s a pretty good likelihood their case – no matter what its merit – will literally get its day in court because of favorable judges.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  6. 6.

    Just like families must live within their budgets, the Federal Government must live within its means. We have passed appropriations bills that have been fiscally responsible while recognizing our national priorities.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  7. 7.

    America’s economy is resilient, and I am confident that Republican pro-growth policies will continue to keep our economy growing – just as it has since after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  8. 8.

    What makes America great is that we can come together during times of national tragedy.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  9. 9.

    There has to be some limit to what lawyers can take from their clients. Otherwise, cagey attorneys end up with the lion’s share of the settlement and the victims end up with little more than scraps.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  10. 10.

    Our economy is creating jobs and giving businesses the conditions they need to invest and succeed.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  11. 11.

    President Reagan was a leader at a time when the American people most needed leadership. He outlined a vision that captured the imagination of the free world, a vision that toppled the Communist empire and freed countless millions.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  12. 12.

    Death just shouldn’t be a taxable event.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  13. 13.

    You know, when companies who have made a commitment and have legacy costs and all of a sudden want to walk away from that commitment and lay it on the federal government, that’s a problem. It’s a fiscal problem for us.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  14. 14.

    Our economy is robust and will remain strong as more Americans who want a job find one. Republican economic policies based on tax relief are working for the American people.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  15. 15.

    Our world has evolved and grown more technologically savvy. Lawmakers need to adjust to these changes.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  16. 16.

    At the end of the day, my hope is that when the new Medicare- Prescription Drug Law gets up and fully running a lot more seniors will pay a whole lot less than they do today for their much-needed medications.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  17. 17.

    But, if you don’t like your current Rx coverage or don’t have any coverage to begin with, you’ll now have the choice to add this new affordable option to your current Medicare plan.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  18. 18.

    Today, nearly 40 percent of a senior’s healthcare spending is on pharmaceutical medications.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  19. 19.

    It’s estimated for every $1 billion we spend on road construction, nearly 48,000 jobs are created.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  20. 20.

    With more than 67 percent of the Nation’s freight moving on highways, economists believe that our ability to compete internationally is tied to the quality of our infrastructure.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  21. 21.

    We want to make sure that Social Security is fixed for those people who have had that promise and there’s something in the future for our younger workers. And we’re not about to do a welfare program.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  22. 22.

    You can’t jam change down the American people’s throat.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  23. 23.

    The federal government seeks to control and regulate the Internet, but the last thing this Congress should be doing is trying to stifle public debate online.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  24. 24.

    The Tort Tax adds to the cost of everything we buy because businesses and manufacturers have to cover themselves and their employees – just in case they get sued by a greedy personal injury lawyer.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  25. 25.

    When Medicare was created for senior citizens and America ‘s disabled in 1965, about half of a senior’s health care spending was on doctors and the other half on hospitals.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  26. 26.

    One way we gave small businesses more money to invest was by extending tax provisions on expensing. This allows businesses to immediately write off things like equipment, without being burdened by depreciation requirements.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  27. 27.

    Priorities like winning the War on Terror and providing tax relief that will keep our economy growing strong.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  28. 28.

    On Capitol Hill, House Republicans have been doing our part. We’ve been hard at work developing policies that will help empower all Americans. We’re beginning to see results. We reduced taxes for everyone.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)

  29. 29.

    You see, we all want the same things. We want to be able to take care of our families, provide for our children, to have a roof over our heads and a good-paying job.

    Dennis Hastert

    American politician (born 1942)