Dennis Hastert, former House speaker disgraced by molestation allegations, dies aged 84
Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican US House speaker, died at the age of 84 from natural causes. He was previously sentenced to prison in 2016 for evading banking laws related to hush money payments for sexual abuse allegations. His political legacy, which included passing major legislation for President George W. Bush, was overshadowed by his conviction as a serial child molester.
- ▪Dennis Hastert died of natural causes at his home at the age of 84.
- ▪He served as the US House speaker from 1999 to 2007 and helped enact significant tax cuts and Medicare expansions.
- ▪Hastert pleaded guilty to evading banking regulations after paying over $1.7 million in hush money to conceal sexual misconduct.
- ▪Prosecutors alleged that he sexually abused at least four teenage wrestlers between 1965 and 1981.
- ▪A judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison in 2016, describing him as a serial child molester.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — World |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/05/dennis-hastert-republican-death |
| Publication time | Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:26:01 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-10-05T14:42:38.408Z |
| Last seen | 2026-10-05T14:42:38.408Z |
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| Cluster | qMU3ebjb1--k · 1 stories |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Dennis Hastert waits to hear Bill Clinton's State of the Union Address on 19 January 1999. Photograph: David Hume Kennerly/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDennis Hastert waits to hear Bill Clinton's State of the Union Address on 19 January 1999. Photograph: David Hume Kennerly/Getty ImagesUS politicsDennis Hastert, former House speaker disgraced by molestation allegations, dies aged 84The Republican, who was sent to prison in 2016 in a hush-money case tied to the allegations, died over the weekendAssociated PressMon 5 Oct 2026 10.26 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleDennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican US House speaker, died over the weekend, a coroner said Monday.
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