Dennis Hastert's attorney calls leaks in case "unconscionable"
CHICAGO -- A defense attorney says leaks regarding the hush-money case against former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert are "unconscionable" and he may ask the court to investigate.
Prosecutors and lawyers for the Illinois Republican appeared in court Thursday before U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin for a status hearing. Hastert's presence in court wasn't required, and he did not attend.
The former speaker of the House is charged with violating banking rules and lying to the FBI about promising to pay $3.5 million to conceal past misconduct. Hastert's alleged misconduct predated his tenure as a Washington politician and is reported to have occurred while he was a teacher and coach. He has pleaded not guilty.
CBS News has reported the payments were intended to conceal claims of sexual misconduct from decades ago.
Lawyer Thomas Green says the leaks "have to stop." Prosecutor Steven Block says the government takes the leaks seriously and is looking into it.
The prosecutors and attorneys for Hastert were in court to determine how the hush-money case against the former U.S. House speaker will proceed.
Earlier this week, Durkin approved prosecutors' request to keep some evidence against Hastert secret.
The move could mean details of the case may never become public. For example, the indictment doesn't say what he was allegedly trying to keep secret.