Former Speaker Dennis Hastert Dies at 84

Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert died over the weekend at his home from natural causes, Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Purcell confirmed.

Hastert, 84, was the longest-serving Republican House Speaker. He first took the gavel in 1999 after Newt Gingrich resigned.

Hastert’s later career was defined by his conviction for evading banking laws. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to concealing payments to a former student he sexually abused. Prosecutors stated Hastert allegedly abused at least four male students, aged 14 to 17, during his time as a high school wrestling coach and teacher.

A judge sentenced Hastert to 15 months in prison. He served 13 months, completing the remainder in a Chicago halfway house. He also received a $250,000 fine and had to register as a sex offender.

Hastert began his political career in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1980 to 1986. He joined the U.S. House in 1989. He handed the Speaker’s gavel to Nancy Pelosi in January 2007 when Democrats took control, and he resigned later that year.