Dennis Hastert’s attorney has told a federal judge that claims of past sexual misconduct by the former House speaker are an “800-pound gorilla” in the room in his hush-money case.

 

Lawyers gathered for a status hearing Tuesday and Hastert wasn’t there.

 

An indictment says only that Hastert agreed to pay someone to remain silent about past misconduct.

 

Defense attorney Thomas Green says he will file motions to have the case dismissed.

 

But he also says he’s preparing for a trial.