The facts surrounding the indictment of former House speaker Dennis Hastert are vague and suggestive.  He is being charged with several currency violations and one count of lying to federal investigators.  The currency violations are the result of withdrawals from several bank accounts by Hastert over a two-year period that exceeded the $10,000 limit on withdrawals that needed to be reported under the law.  Much of that cash apparently went to one individual in order to cover up "prior misconduct" by Hastert dating back to his time as a teacher and wrestling coach. Washington Post: In 2010, confronted about the “prior misconduct,” the former speaker agreed to pay $3.5 million to the person “to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against Individual A,” prosecutors alleged. That person, whose identity was shielded by prosecutors, has known Hastert most of his or her life, growing up in Yorkville, the city next to...(Read Full Post)