Hastert Makes First Court Appearance in Hush-Money Case

A somber Dennis Hastert appeared in court Tuesday for the first time since he was indicted, pleading not guilty to charges that he violated banking rules and lied to the FBI in a scheme to pay $3.5 million in hush money to conceal misconduct from his days as a high school teacher. As his attorney entered the plea on his behalf, the 73-year-old former House speaker stood motionless, his hands folded and eyes downcast at the floor. When the judge asked if he understood he had to submit a DNA sample and that he could go to jail if he violated any conditions of his release, the man who was once second in the line of succession to the presidency, answered quietly, "Yes, sir."