The Latest on Dennis Hastert: Ex-House speaker pleads not guilty in federal hush-money case

2:10 p.m. CDT

A federal judge has set the conditions for Dennis Hastert’s pretrial release after he pleaded not guilty in a hush-money case.

During Hastert’s first court appearance in the case, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin said he must not violate any laws, co-operate in collection of DNA if authorized by court and advise officials before changing his name or phone number.

Hastert’s defence attorney says the former House speaker has already surrendered his passport. He’s also required to have no contact with victims or witnesses in the case and have any firearms removed from his property by June 23.

2:05 p.m. CDT

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has pleaded not guilty to charges in a federal hush-money case.

During Hastert’s first court appearance since he was indicted last month, defence attorney Thomas C. Green entered the pleas on Hastert’s behalf. He also waived the reading of the indictment.

The judge is considering conditions for Hastert’s pretrial release.

The May 28 indictment says he agreed to pay $3.5 million to keep someone, referred to only as “Individual A,” from revealing a secret about past misconduct.