Where Did Hastert Almost $1 Million to Bribe Sexual Abuse Accuser?

The news of the indictment against a former Speaker of the House
Must have been a devastating tragedy for his children and his spouse
Hastert had agreed to pay $3.5 million to cover up acts of sexual abuse
Years ago while a coach possibly involving his students, a heinous act for which there is no excuse
The details of the abuse like age and sex of the victim have not yet been revealed
Only that the payments to date in cash were designed to the bribery conceal
Almost a million bucks in amounts less than ten grand being withdrawn on multiple times
Structuring cash deposits or withdrawals to evade reporting is also a crime
A legacy in shambles, a marriage most likely ruined and children ridiculed and now estranged
Bad as this is, there is something beneath the headlines even more deranged.
How could an former teacher with a net worth of $270 grand when he took his Congressional seat
Leave Congress 20 years later increased to 4 to 17 million which seems on his salary to be an impressive feat?
Especially when in agreeing to bribe his accuser 3.5 million dollars he ignored extortion rule 101
A fool to believe an extortionist’s demands for more and more money would end and not increase once the payments have begun
Hastert’s rise in wealth while in Congress should give a renewed urgent push to limit Congressional terms
Six years would reduce favors exchanged for money needed to be raised and reduce the amount of lobbyist money after leaving office to be earned
No wonder incumbents like Hastert go to any lengths, any means to keep their seats
Lure of campaign funds means whatever idealism and ideas to serve the people will beat a quick retreat
© May 29, 2015 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet
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