In the new filing, Dennis Hastert's lawyers say he is sorry for his wrongdoing, but they don't spell out what happened or even that it was sexual in nature or involved Hastert's students. | AP Photo Hastert seeks probation, offers vague apology for 'misconduct'

Lawyers for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert are asking a federal judge to spare him jail time for violating a federal anti-money laundering law, but are remaining vague about the nature of the decades-old misconduct he agreed to pay at least $3.5 million to keep quiet.

In a filing submitted to a federal judge in Chicago, Hastert's legal team acknowledged that he caused harm to others with his behavior years ago, but they did not offer any detailed response to claims that the former speaker had sexual contact with students when he was an Illinois high school teacher and wrestling coach before entering politics in the 1980s.


"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 attorney Tom Green and other lawyers wrote. "What we do know is that he will stand before the Court having deteriorated both physically and emotionally, undoubtedly in part due to public shaming and humiliation of an unprecedented degree."

Hastert was indicted in May on charges that he structured about $1 million in bank withdrawals in order to avoid federal reporting requirements and that he lied to FBI agents investigating the matter. The indictment said the money was part of $3.5 million the former speaker agreed to pay an unnamed associate to cover up and compensate for Hastert's past misconduct. Press reports said the wrongdoing involved sexual encounters with male students, but the indictment was silent on that point and federal officials would not comment publicly about it.

Hastert pleaded guilty in October to the structuring charge as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. His sentencing, originally set for February, was delayed due to his health crisis. The sentencing hearing is now set for April 27.

At a court session last month, it emerged that a man not mentioned in the indictment was seeking to appear at Hastert's sentencing and discuss past sexual misconduct by the former speaker. Hastert's lawyers opposed such testimony, but U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Durkin said he would hear from the alleged victim as well as a Montana woman who says her late brother, who served as an equipment manager on the wrestling team Hastert coached, also reported having sexual contact with him.

In the new filing, Hastert's lawyers say he is sorry for his wrongdoing, but they don't spell out what happened or even that it was sexual in nature or involved Hastert's students. "Mr. Hastert is deeply sorry and apologizes for his misconduct that occurred decades ago and the resulting harm he caused to others," the attorneys said.

Hastert's sentencing filing provides more details about his recent health problems, saying that the former speaker nearly died in early November after he was hospitalized for sepsis. He's currently confined to a wheelchair, needs 24-hour care, and cannot get out of bed, use the toilet, bathe or dress without assistance, the submission says.

The prosecution and defense have agreed that sentencing guidelines call for Hastert to receive between zero and six months in custody for the crime he admitted to last year. Prosecutors have not yet said what sentence they will recommend for the former speaker and had no comment Wednesday on Hastert's filing.

Hastert's lawyers say the former speaker has faced shame and humiliation in the year or so since his indictment, leaving him "in a state of despair caused by extreme isolation and the withdrawal of support from many friends and former colleagues."

"He is overwhelmed by the guilt he feels for his actions, for the harm he caused by his misconduct, and for disappointing those who have supported him for so long," the attorneys said. The longest-serving Republican speaker in U.S. history has been "stung by the public repudiations of him that followed his indictment, including the removal of his portrait from the U.S. Capitol," they added.

The court filing says Hastert is "tormented" by the impact the situation has had on his family members. It also offers what appears to be a latent critique of the media, declaring that the press "flooded" the Hasterts' driveway, "camped on their lawn," took photos of the family through the windows of their home, and followed them to the Wisconsin cabin where they took refuge during the initial onslaught.

Hastert's sentencing submission was missing something that is a staple of most such filings: a discussion of sentences other offenders received for the same kind of crime and why Hastert should receive a similar or different sentence. There had been some debate about an appropriate sentence for Hastert and whether prosecutors agreed to too low a sentencing range, but many courtwatchers now believe that due to his physical ailments the former speaker will get probation alone or perhaps a period of home confinement.

Durkin has ordered an independent assessment of Hastert's health prior to the sentencing later this month.

The sentencing submissions from both sides were due Friday, but Hastert's defense apparently decided to preempt prosecutors by filing early on Wednesday.