Dennis Hastert, who held the speakership of the House of Representatives longer than any Republican in history, has died at 84. He later pleaded guilty to a federal banking charge connected to payments he made to conceal sexual abuse of teenage boys decades earlier.

Hastert served as speaker from 1999 to 2007, taking the post after Newt Gingrich's resignation and a brief, failed bid by Bob Livingston. He had worked as a high school wrestling coach in Illinois before entering politics. He was first elected to Congress from Illinois's 14th District in 1986 and served until his resignation in 2007, when Democrats took control of the House.

In 2015, federal prosecutors charged Hastert with violating banking laws in connection with payments he made to conceal past misconduct. The case led to revelations that he had sexually abused teenage boys while working as a wrestling coach at Yorkville High School, before his political career began. Hastert pleaded guilty to a banking-related charge in 2015 and was sentenced the following year to 15 months in prison. He served roughly 13 months before his release.

News of his death drew coverage noting both his career in Congress and the later revelations and prosecution, with outlets reporting that he had gone to prison as a result of the case.

Details about his death, including its cause and location, were not immediately available in initial reports. Information about survivors and funeral arrangements had not yet been released.

References

1. 1.Associated Press — reported on Hastert's death, career timeline, and 2015 prosecution
2. 2.New York Times — reported on Hastert's speakership and later guilty plea
3. 3.Washington Post — reported on details of the 2015 banking charge and abuse revelations