Dennis Hastert, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives whose political legacy was later shattered by a criminal case connected to sexual abuse, has died at 84.
The Associated Press reports that Hastert died over the weekend of natural causes at his home in Illinois, according to Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Purcell. CBS News also confirmed his death Monday.
Hastert served as House speaker from 1999 until 2007 and became the longest serving Republican speaker in U.S. history.
A former high school teacher and wrestling coach, Hastert entered Congress in the 1980s and rose through Republican leadership before becoming speaker following Newt Gingrich's departure.
During the presidency of George W. Bush, Hastert played an important role in moving major parts of the administration's agenda through Congress, including tax cuts and the expansion of Medicare prescription drug benefits.
His reputation collapsed years after he left Washington.
Federal investigators discovered that Hastert had structured cash withdrawals while making payments intended to conceal sexual abuse committed decades earlier, when he was a teacher and wrestling coach.
Hastert pleaded guilty to violating federal banking laws. During the case, he acknowledged sexually abusing boys during his coaching career. Because the alleged abuse occurred decades earlier, he was not prosecuted for sex crimes.
In 2016, a federal judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison. The judge described Hastert during sentencing as a "serial child molester."
His downfall was extraordinary because Hastert had once been second in the presidential line of succession and among the most influential political figures in the United States.
His death immediately drew significant attention online Monday, bringing renewed focus to both his years at the center of American political power and the scandal that ultimately defined his legacy.
