Ex-Speaker Hastert recovering from stroke

By Paige Winfield Cunningham, Paige Winfield Cunningham

Published December 20, 2015

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert suffered a stroke about six weeks ago while awaiting sentencing for evading bank reporting laws, allegedly to cover up sexual misconduct with a former student, his lawyer said Thursday.

Hastert's attorney Tom Green told Politico that Hastert is recovering after an extensive hospitalization and two surgeries and hopes to be released early next year. He's due to be sentenced Feb. 29, although that could be delayed due to his health challenges.

"I am confirming that during the first week of November our client Dennis Hastert was admitted to the hospital," Green said in a statement. "Mr. Hastert has suffered a stroke and has been treated for Sepsis. While in the hospital, two back surgeries were performed. We are very hopeful that Mr. Hastert will be released from the hospital in the early part of the new year."

Hastert is likely to receive a sentence of between zero and six months in prison.