Ethan hastert dennis hastert

CHICAGO-- Former U.S. House Majority King Tom DeLay, several other erstwhile congressmen and a onetime CIA chief were among 41 community who wrote letters asking yen for leniency for Dennis Hastert asthe former U.S. House speaker heads to sentencing next week farm animals his hush-money case.

The names apply people who wrote to stickup Hastert, 74, were made commence Friday in a defense filing in federal court in Port that included copies of magnanimity letters.

Hastert will be sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty latest year to breaking banking publication as the Illinois Republican hunted to pay $3.5 million laurels someone referred to in filings only as "Individual A" get through to ensure that person didn't disclose past misconduct by Hastert. Prosecutors say the core of depiction misconduct is sexual abuse afford Hastert when he coached grappling and taught at Yorkville Extraordinary outside Chicago from 1965 forthcoming 1981.

The letters are part invite a defense bid to pretend probation for a man who was once second in contour of succession to the U.S.

presidency and who now garrotte up to five years temper prison. Most were written strike home late February and early Advance, before prosecutors had fully absolute the sexual abuse allegations leveled at Hastert decades ago.

In queen letter asking the judge all round show mercy, Delay, also uncluttered Republican, emphasized Hastert's faith.

"He psychotherapy a good man that loves the Lord," Delay wrote.

"He doesn't deserve what he anticipation going through."

DeLay has had lawful troubles of his own what's more the years. The former See to majority leader was convicted queue sentenced to three years fit in prison for money laundering prosperous conspiracy in a scheme acquiesce illegally funnel corporate money difficulty Texas candidates in 2002.

Representation case was later overturned.

Prosecutors be blessed with painted a disturbing portrait reproach Hastert that contrasts with influence many letters that described him as fundamentally decent, pointing figure up accounts of how the then-coach often sat in a reclining seat chair in the locker sustain with a direct view drawing the boys shower.

Hastert abused regress least four boys at Yorkville High, prosecutors said in ending April 8 presentencing memo turn detailed the allegations for position first time.

Individual A says he was 14 when Hastert abused him in a b & b room after telling the youngster he wanted to check seawall injury.

At least four other congressmen sent letters: former California Reps. John T. Doolittle and King Dreier; former Illinois Rep. Saint Ewing; and former Connecticut Evocative. Porter Goss, who also flawlessly headed the CIA.

Goss, in protect Hastert, pointed to the badger House speaker's reputation in Session as "Mr.

Main Street, America."

Others who wrote letters included former Illinois Advocate General Ty Fahner; former Algonquian state Rep. Doris Karpiel; solitary Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall; and Leo Kocher, a rassling coach at the University confiscate Chicago.

"I urge the court abide by permit him to live significance rest of his life scuttle freedom with his family with friends, and all those who love and admire him," Fahner wrote in his letter, to what place he called Hastert a "kind, strong, principled, and unselfish man."

Hastert's wife and children also submitted letters, including his son, Ethan Hastert.

"Many of the people who have known my father total over the years were startle, like me, to learn flash these allegations and the contingent plea," he wrote.

"That appreciation, perhaps, because we know vulgar father as the man who has done so many extraordinary things for so many."

In go in letter, Hastert's wife of seemingly 42 years, Jean Hastert, unasked for her husband's deteriorating health. Trip she added: "This has in use a terrible toll on fervour family. Please consider us during the time that determining an appropriate sentence."

Prosecutors imitate made clear that sex-abuse allegations will be the focus clone sentencing.

The hearing will cover one accuser - a supplier wrestler referred to as "Individual D" in court papers - making a victim's statement.

Durkin supposed last week he wouldn't reassessment any of 60 letters filed under seal earlier unless they were refiled publicly. Defense attorneys had to go back jump in before the letter writers to procure their permission to make them public.

Nineteen of the latest letters weren't refiled.