CHICAGO (AP) — 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 for a status hearing. Hastert wasn’t required to attend, and didn’t do so.

Hastert is charged with violating banking rules and lying to the FBI about promising to pay $3.5 million to conceal past misconduct. The former teacher and coach has pleaded not guilty.

The Associated Press and other media outlets, citing anonymous sources, have 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.

 

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