ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — The sister of one high school student who Dennis Hastert sexually abused says the former U.S. House speaker entering prison brings her some closure.
Jolene Burdge spoke in a phone interview Wednesday hours after Hastert reported to prison to serve a 15-month sentence in a hush money case. The case revealed Hastert had abused at least four boys at Yorkville High School more than 35 years ago.
Burdge says she never thought the day would come that the Illinois Republican would go to prison. And she says the fact he has restores some of her faith in the justice system.
Burdge told Hastert’s sentencing hearing in April that Hastert abused her brother, Stephen Reinboldt, throughout his years at Yorkville High. Reinboldt died of AIDS in 1995.