WASHINGTON (AP) — A former business associate of Dennis Hastert says the ex-House speaker looked for ways to increase his income around the time he is accused of paying someone to stay quiet about decades-old misconduct.

J. David John tells The New York Times that he asked a financial adviser in 2010 how investments could be arranged to yield more cash. John said he inquired on Hastert’s behalf and without identifying him.

John says he doesn’t know whether the attempt to set up an annuity relates to Hastert’s legal troubles.

Hastert is charged with evading bank regulations by withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in smaller amounts and lying about why. The indictment says Hastert agreed in 2010 to pay $3.5 million to a person to compensate for and conceal past misconduct.

 

 

 

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