-Lurid Crime Tales- |
Dennis Hastert 'Deeply Sorry' for 'Misconduct', Lawyers Say |
2016-04-08 |
[ABCNEWS.GO] Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for the first time today publicly acknowledged the "harm" he caused to "others" for "misconduct that occurred decades ago," his attorneys said in a court filing, ahead of sentencing for a crime allegedly linked to hush money payments and past sexual abuse. "Mr. Hastert is deeply sorry and apologizes for his misconduct that occurred decades ago and the resulting harm he caused to others," the filing says. "Mr. Hastert’s fall from grace has been swift and devastating. Neither we as his lawyers, nor Mr. Hastert, have the present insight to understand and reconcile the unfortunate and harmful incidents he caused decades ago with the enduring achievements, leadership, and generosity that earned him extraordinary affection and respect throughout this country during his many years of public service." Hastert's sorrow only outflanked by the sorrow of his getting caught. Beltway party slime, it knows no political boundaries. The filing does not identify the past "misconduct," but last summer sources knowledgeable of the case told ABC News Hastert was paying a man -- still unidentified except as "Individual A" in court documents -- hundreds of thousands of dollars to hide that Hastert had engaged in sexual misconduct with him while Hastert was a high school wrestling coach. Hastert pleaded guilty in October to a single financial crime connected to the alleged hush money. Hastert technically faces a maximum penalty of five years, but according to the terms of his plea deal, prosecutors previously indicated they will recommended he serve no more than six months. His defense team wants probation. |
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Home Front: Politix | |
DoJ denies Hastert under investigation, anonymous ppl say he is | |
2006-05-25 | |
Despite a flat denial from the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement sources tonight said ABC News accurately reported that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is "in the mix" in the FBI investigation of corruption in Congress. Speaker Hastert said tonight the story was "absolutely untrue" and has demanded ABC News retract its story. Law enforcement sources told ABC News that convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff has provided information to the FBI about Hastert and a number of other members of Congress that have broadened the scope of the investigation. Sources would not divulge details of the Abramoffs information.
One focus involves a letter Hastert wrote in 2003 urging the Secretary of the Interior to block an Indian casino that would have competed with tribes represented by Abramoff. The letter was written within days of a fund-raiser held for Hastert at Abramoffs restaurant in Washington. Federal campaign records show more than $26,000 was raised at the time from Abramoff and his clients. Hastert has denied doing anything unlawful and says he has a long history of opposing certain types of Indian casinos. ABCs law enforcement sources said the Justice Department denial was meant only to deny that Hastert was a formal target or subject of the investigation. "Whether they like it or not, members of Congress, including Hastert, are under investigation," one federal official said tonight. The investigation of Hasterts relationship with Abramoff is in the early stages, according to these officials, and could eventually conclude that Abramoffs information was unfounded. Officials said the next logical investigative step would be for the FBI to seek a wide range of documents from the members of Congress named by Abramoff, including letters and business documents. A spokesman for Hastert said the office had received no subpoenas or requests for documents. | |
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Iraq |
LTC ALLEN B. WEST |
2003-12-11 |
The disgraceful treatment dished out to Lt. Col. Allen B. West, who faced prosecution for firing his weapon to intimidate an Iraqi detainee into providing information about an upcoming assault on Westâs unit, may be about to to be resolved. Looks like he wonât be court-marshalled but will have to retire. Honestly, the Army has to ask itself, how it is ever going to fight terrorism, if itâs soldiers always have one hand tied behind their backs. Lt. Col. Allen B. West, who faced criminal charges for firing his weapon to intimidate an Iraqi detainee into providing information about an upcoming assault on Westâs unit, has himself, dodged a bullet. LTC Westâs actions yielded critical information which enabled West and his soldiers to thwart the attack -- thus saving the lives of their fellow soldiers. It was and remains our position that LTC Westâs actions were justified. Indeed, President Bush, on his visit to Iraq Thanksgiving Day, said "In some cases, the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force." We believe this certainly applies in the case of LTC West. To that end, The Federalistâs companion site, PatriotPetitions.US, collected more than 130,000 signatures asking President George Bush, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, acting Secretary of the Army Secretary Les Brownlee and Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, exonerate LTC West from this grossly misguided prosecution and any criminal charges. On the day LTC Westâs Article 32 Board convened, Patriot Petitions released the results of the petition in support of LTC West. We learned yesterday afternoon, that the Army hearing officer in this case, LTC James Davis, has recommended to MGEN Raymond Odierno, the 4th Infantry Division commander, Article 15 administrative correction for LTC West -- but no court-martial. MGEN Odierno can accept or decline that recommendation. "Itâs extremely good news," said Neal Puckett, LTC Westâs attorney. "This is what we think the Army should have done from the very beginning." LTC West indicated from the start of this case that he was willing to accept nonjudicial Article 15 punishment and then retire. MGEN Odierno has already relieved him of his artillery battalion command, a career killer. LTC West has submitted a retirement request and acting Army Secretary Les Brownlee may retire LTC West at his current rank, or at the reduced rank of major. We contend that LTC West should have received honorable recognition for his actions and be promoted to full Colonel -- his considerable experience will be missed on the frontlines of our war with Jihadistan. |
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Home Front |
Terror strikes on US |
2001-09-11 |
CNN September 11, 2001 Posted: 5:14 p.m. EDT In an apparently coordinated terrorist attack against the United States, four commercial passenger jets crashed on Tuesday, three of them into significant landmarks. |
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