18 Jul 2017 8:29 pm
RepublIcan serial child molester gets out of prison two months early while his victims are sentenced to a lifetime of pain and suffering.
His victims.
Many Republicans wrote letters of support to the judge during Hastert's trial.Hastert victim 'surprised' at former speaker's early release.
A man who was sexually abused by Dennis Hastert said Tuesday he was "surprised" that the former speaker of the House was released two months early from his 15-month prison sentence.
Hastert was released Tuesday from federal prison and is now under the supervision of a Chicago resident re-entry management field office after serving 13 months of a 15-month sentence.
He pleaded guilty in October 2015 to a count of hiding money transactions.
"I was a little surprised," Scott Cross told CNN's Jake Tapper on "The Lead" in an exclusive interview.
"I was a little, to be honest, a little disappointed in the sentence that was given out."
Cross stayed silent about his experience with Hastert for 37 years before coming forward during the investigation.
"You think about shame, guilt, embarrassment, humiliation -- the Hasterts of the world have so much trust and respect over you that you really have a hard time processing and understanding it," Cross said.
Since the investigation, Cross has worked with the Illinois attorney general to advocate for the removal of the statute of limitations for these types of crimes.
"It's more important that not just the state of Illinois change that -- there's only been a handful of states," Cross said.
"I hope by coming out and talking about this, other people have the courage to come out and speak out about this, whether its him or somebody else out there," Cross told Tapper.
The community Hastert and Cross came from was small, Cross said, with about 2,500 people.
"He was at the height of his popularity prior to going into politics," Cross said.
Cross testified in court about the fallout from Hastert's actions, saying he was "devastated."
"I tried to figure out why Coach Hastert had singled me out. I felt terribly alone.
Today, I understand I did nothing to bring this on, but at age 17, I could not understand what happened or why," Cross said back in 2015.
"You made a difference in Illinois, kids in the future are going to see justice because of you and what you did, and hopefully some people out there will watch this show, find out what the laws are in their state, try to change it," Tapper told Cross. "So, thank you, Scott."
You know who doesn't deserve what they are going through?Tom Delay, others defend Dennis Hastert in letters to court.
Dennis Hastert’s legal team filed dozens of letters in federal court in Chicago on Friday from individuals expressing support for the former House speaker in preparation for his sentencing on Wednesday.
Rep. Tom DeLay, the former House majority whip who helped position Hastert for his role as speaker, wrote that he is a man of “strong faith” and “great integrity.”
DeLay ‘s letter is one of 41 letters signed by former colleagues and relatives as part of ongoing legal efforts to defend Hastert's character after the former speaker pleaded guilty to illegally structuring $900,000 used in payments to an individual he allegedly sexually abused while serving as a high school teacher and wrestling coach in a small Illinois town more than 30 years ago.
Two other ex-students have made similar claims about Hastert, as has a woman who says her late brother reported sexual contact by Hastert.
DeLay details their relationship of nearly three decades, 12 years of which they spent working “side by side.”
“I have observed him in many different and difficult situations,” the letter starts.
“He has never disappointed me in any way.
He is a man of strong faith that guides him.
He is a man of great integrity.
He loves and respects his fellow man.
I have never witnessed a time when he was unkind to anyone.
He is always giving to others and helping anyone including me so many times."
The one-page note also outlines examples of activities intended to defend the former speaker’s character, such as starting a lunch-time Bible study for colleagues.
“We held each other accountable and we studied God's word and applied it to where we were at that moment," wrote DeLay, who is a longtime advocate for foster children and adoption.
“Nothing could have been more intimate between us.
So I know his heart and have seen it up close and personal.”
“We all have our flaws, but Dennis Hastert has very few.
He is a good man that loves the lord.
He gets his integrity and values from Him.
He doesn't deserve what he is going through.
I ask that you consider the man that is before you and give him leniency where you can,” it concludes.
His victims.