Sources: Hastert's Attorneys To File Waiver Allowing Judge Durkin To Remain On Case
(CBS) -- The attorneys representing former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will file a waiver to allow U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin to continue to preside over the case, sources tell CBS 2
Judge Durkin acknowledged some past ties to Hastert during an arraignment on Tuesday and disqualified himself from the case unless both sides agreed to file a waiver allowing him to continue before a deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday. It is not known if the prosecutors will file the waiver.
Durkin admitted to making two contributions to Hastert's campaign before becoming a judge but said he has never met Hastert prior to the arraignment and that he has "no doubt I can be impartial in this matter." He also acknowledged he once worked with Hastert's son, Ethan, at a law firm, but said they are not friends, have not seen each other in years, and have not discussed the case.
Hastert pleaded not guilty to charges he paid hush money to conceal wrongdoing before he entered politics, and lied to the FBI when questioned about the money during Tuesday's arraignment.