The federal judge in Dennis Hastert's hush-money case says he's appointing someone to review the former U.S. House speaker's medical records. This comes weeks after granting a request by defense attorneys to delay sentencing on grounds that the 74-year-old nearly died and remained in poor health.
Judge Thomas Durkin in Chicago filed the order after meeting attorneys behind closed doors. It says an independent expert will "report to the Court on the defendant's condition."
Durkin agreed in January to push sentencing from Feb. 29 to April 8 based on Hastert's health. Prosecutors didn't object, but said sentencing shouldn't be delayed indefinitely because victims deserve closure.
Hastert pleaded guilty to violating bank laws in seeking to pay $3.5 million in hush money.
