Hastert Pleads Guilty

CHICAGO (AP) — Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert says he knew he was doing wrong by trying to conceal his large cash withdrawals.

In a brief written statement, Hastert said Wednesday he didn’t want the FBI to know how he “was intending to spend the money.”

The 73-year-old Republican pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the FBI.

An indictment issued in May says Hastert agreed to pay someone referred to only as “Individual A” $3.5 million to hide past misconduct. The Associated Press and other media have cited anonymous sources in reporting the payments were to conceal claims of sexual misconduct.

A plea deal recommends he serve up to six months in prison. Sentencing is set for Feb. 29.