Discussion for article #236917
Yes, Mr Hastert left office a rich man but… there may be another story here. Specifically, go back and re-read the indictment. It strikes me that (as has been noted on your blog already) the DOJ was very specific in their choice of words when it came to creating this document. Look for the description of the accounts that Mr. Hastert withdrew the money from. The Indictment describes the accounts as ones that he ‘had control’ of. They do not say that owned the accounts and that he spent his own money. If the accounts had been his own accounts why did they not say so? Might this be why he left his high powered lobbying gig? It strikes me that fiscal malfeasance would explain the resignation better than some vague and implied violation of his contract’s morals clause.