Will Ryan Now Return Money from Former Speaker Hastert?
$25,000 in donations from convicted felon in question
Madison- With former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert pleading guilty in court yesterday, questions have been raised about the $25,000 Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) received from the former Speaker. Hastert plead guilty to evading bank laws in a scheme to funnel hush money, allegedly used to conceal sexual misconduct during Mr Hastert’s tenure as a teacher and wrestling coach in Illinois. Martha Laning, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, called on Ryan to get rid of the donations immediately.
“Rep. Ryan said it’s a new day in the House of Representatives when he was nominated for Speaker. A good way to make that true is to return all the donations he received from Hastert, now a convicted felon for hiding over $1 million in payments to buy someone’s silence.” said Laning.
Earlier this year, Ryan declined to return the $25,000 in donations he received from Hastert when questioned about it by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after Hastert was indicted. Some Republicans donated money they received from Hastert as soon as he was indicted, but Ryan said he would not get rid of the money because they were legal donations.
“If Rep. Ryan has concerns about returning the $25,000 to former Republican Speaker Hastert, there are many groups that help abused children who would be happy to receive a donation of that size,” said Laning.
Representatives Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Sean Duffy (R-WI) have received donations from former Speaker Hastert as well. They also previously declined to return the donations when Haster was indicted.
