Hastert faces double trouble as lawsuit proceeds
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert faces criminal charges for allegedly concealing cash payments to cover up report U.S. District Court Judge Charles Kocoras twice dismissed a 2013 lawsuit by Hastert’s former business partner, J. David John. It alleges that Hastert misused federal funds for personal use at a district office that Hastert ran in Yorkville, Ill. for a few years after leaving Congress. De Kocoras said in Thursday’s ruling that John’s attorneys had cleared the legal hurdles needed to proceed with the case.
“We find that John has alleged enough in his second amended complaint related to the original source issue to show that he properly warned the FBI of the possibility of improper sexual misconduct, which suffered a separate legal setback Thursday when a federal judge revived a lawsuit. According to Kocoroas, John claimed to have told the FBI in 2011 that he “knew Hastert was using federally funded offices, staff, office supplies and vehicles for personal business ventures.”
John said he traveled with Hastert and worked with him on several projects, including a Grand Prix circuit in Southern California and sporting events in the Middle East.
The continuation of the civil suit will add legal headaches for Hastert and federal prosecutors, who received an indictment in May accusing the former speaker of structuring bank withdrawals to avoid federal reporting obligations and lying to the FBI about where the money went. The money was part of $3.5 million, according to the indictment. Hastert agreed to pay an unnamed longtime acquaintance to make restitution and cover up his past wrongdoings.
John’s attorney, Michael Goldberg, said in an interview that John’s team plans to seek testimony that could support the case. That effort will likely include obtaining information from the FBI and Hastert. “We welcome the judge’s decision and look forward to the discovery phase of this case, including written discovery and deposition,” Goldberg said.
It is unlikely that the FBI or Hastert will entertain such inquiries — especially in light of the ongoing criminal case. Both parties can request that the case be suspended until the criminal case is decided. Haster is represented in the civil suit by his son, Ethan, a partner at the Chicago law firm Mayer Brown. Ethan Hastert did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.
