Hastert Victim Tells Tapper He Was ‘Disappointed in the Sentence’ Given to the Ex-Speaker
Earlier today, it was reported that former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was released from prison after serving 13 months of a 15-month sentence. Hastert pleaded guilty in October 2015 to hiding money transactions related to $3.5 million in hush money he agreed to give one former student of his that he had sexually abused years ago.
In the investigation leading up to the trial, Hastert was found to have abused at least five boys while he was a high school wrestling coach. Despite admitting to the actions, Hastert was not charged with any crimes related to the sexual abuse because the statute of limitations had passed.
One of Hastert’s victims spoke to CNN’s Jake Tapper this afternoon regarding the ex-Speaker’s release and his feelings about the sentence Hastert received.
“I was a little surprised,” Scott Cross told the CNN anchor. “I was a little, to be honest, a little disappointed in the sentence that was given out.”
He added, “The reason I came out is it was kind of like a slap on the wrist. He was charged with a financial crime, not what he had actually done to myself and others back in the ’70s. And it was troubling to hear of the early release, but there was nothing I could do about that.”
Cross went on to describe how he has worked on ways to see if states can change their statute of limitations laws regarding sexual abuse of children.
“I hope by coming out and talking about this, other people have the courage to come out and speak out about this,” he said.
Watch the clip above, via CNN.
[image via screengrab]
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