Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is recovering in the hospital after he suffered a stroke while awaiting sentencing in a federal hush money case, his attorney confirmed Thursday.
Attorney Thomas Green said in a statement that Hastert was admitted to the hospital in the last week of November.
"Mr. Hastert has suffered a stroke and has been treated for Sepsis. While in the hospital two surgeries on his back were performed," Green said. "We are hopeful that Mr. Hastert will be released from the hospital in the early part of the new year. The family very much desires that during Mr. Hastert’s continued hospitalization his privacy will be respected.”
A letter recently written to the judge in Hastert’s hush-money trial indicated that he had been hospitalized.
The note written on the former speaker’s behalf reads: "In light of his recent hospital stay, I would hope that probation in lieu of confinement would be considered.”
The Associated Press reported in July 2006 that Hastert was hospitalized for cellulitis, a skin condition.
Hastert is due to be sentenced in February for making illegal bank withdrawals, reportedly in an effort to cover up sexual misconduct against a student when he was a high school coach.